Smokers are complying well with the smoking ban in eateries in Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) areas, but they are littering the surrounding with cigarette butts.
Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) hoped the smokers would dispose of the butts in rubbish bins.
“From our observation, the smokers are being very considerate for not smoking inside the eateries, but the concern now is that some still simply throw the butts indiscriminately,” he told reporters.
He urged members of the public, especially smokers, to keep the city clean.
When asked if shop owners should stop selling cigarette at eateries, Lo said it was not necessary for such a move since the law did not stop people from buying cigarettes.
Also, the move would affect businesses if shop owners were forced to stop selling the item
“There is some level of compliance by the smokers, it is good that the people in Sarawak do not break the law for the sake of breaking the law.
“What is important now is to educate smokers not to throw the butts irresponsibly.”
The smoking ban came into effect from March 1, where the first six months will be an education enforcement period.
