Kota Kinabalu to implement designated smoking areas, taking cue from Singapore

KOTA KINABALU — Designated smoking areas will be provided by the end of the year as a smoking ban goes into force in Sabah next January, says Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Arifin Asgali.

Arifin, who is in charge of Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH) portfolio, said that they will discuss the plan with the state’s Health and People’s Wellbeing Ministry before it is implemented.

He cited Singapore as an example, saying that designated points would be provided for people to smoke in a city that takes cleanliness seriously.

“I have been informed by state Youth and Sports Minister Ginger Phoong that this issue has been raised in the state Cabinet. Right now, I can only speak for KKCH but we will seek the Health Ministry’s advice on the necessity of providing smoking spaces and the distance between them,” said Arifin.

He said the issues with the state Health Ministry would be settled by this month.

He said this to reporters at the City Hall Raya Korban charity ceremony on Tuesday (Aug 13).

Responding to a suggestion that the smoking warning notice be put on tables in restaurants instead of the wall, Arifin said they will look into this proposal.

“If we find that it is a good suggestion, we will ask restaurants in Kota Kinabalu to do that,” he added.