Put down your cigarette for a second, and read this. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is pushing to ban smoking indoors, including restaurants. This comes after banning smoking on the 141 pedestrian walkways across the city.
If you’re not holding a cigarette, don’t smoke, and are tired of smelling like the remnants of an ashtray after a night out, this may come as a relief to you. DBKL is pushing to make our beloved home one of the top 20 liveable cities by 2020. Aim for the stars DBKL, we might just get the moon (Top 20 cities starting with the letter K).
The proposed ban will not affect outdoor restaurants, with no air-conditioning. Relax KLites, Devi’s Corner is safe. Ironically, not from public health inspectors, but from an impending general smoking ban.
The move to make 20km of city walkways smoke free is symbolic for DBKL Health and Environment Director Dr Hayati Abdullah. She tells reporters that finalizing the walkway ban took almost four years. “It was a tedious process that required a lot of paper work and meetings and red tape,” she said. In January this year, she managed to outlaw smoking in public parks. She’s leading a crusade, but how far will she get.
In a city where few people walk, but everyone loves to sit in restaurants, cafes and clubs talking and … smoking, will the public be on board? Puff-puff, let’s find out.
