ELC030 English for Pre-diploma

Essay Writing Assignment

New smoking ban meets with backlash
By Tashny Sukumaran
10 January 2019

Malaysia has sought to catch up with neighbouring countries such as Singapore and
Thailand, although they did not endure anywhere near the same opposition to bans.

A government-imposed smoking ban at eateries and restaurants in Malaysia has prompted a

nationwide backlash, with reports of violence and threats of lawsuits coming from smokers,
who make up nearly a quarter of the population.

The mandatory ban was announced on New Year’s Day and applied to all restaurants and
cafes as well as the nation’s open-air street food stalls and hawker centres – a dramatic
change from previous laissez-faire attitudes about lighting up in public. Smokers in Malaysia
may now only light up three metres away from the premises and those caught violating the
law face fines of 10,000 ringgit (US$2,400). Restaurants must prominently display smoking
ban signs and can be fined for failing to uphold the ban.

The ban provoked outrage among smokers and protests have been reported throughout the
country: a group calling for “smokers’ rights” has pledged to challenge the ban via judicial
review, naming the Health Ministry as sole respondent. Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the health
minister, responded by saying the government was more than happy to tackle the matter in
court as Malaysia was “a democratic country”.

Last week, an irate smoker assaulted an Indian migrant worker after being asked to put out
his cigarette in an open-air mamak eatery. A police report was filed. Meanwhile, tongue-in-
cheek photos and videos of smokers bringing measuring tape to eateries with them to
precisely mark off three metres before lighting up have been circulating on social media.

The Health Ministry, which also runs a programme to help smokers quit, has given cigarette
users a six-month grace period, in which there will be warnings but no fines. The Housing
and Local Government Ministry said it will consider designated smoking areas.

Malaysian media has reported nightclubs and bars – even air-conditioned indoor venues that
previously allowed smoking – are claiming a loss in revenue but some bars see the upside.
Franky Murray oversees public relations at Sid’s, a popular pub chain. He claims the
smoking ban has helped customers forge connections.

Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations coordinator

of the Tobacco Control Initiative, criticised the outcry.

“Most consumers are not angry,” he said. “Smokers are a small amount of the population –
23.8 per cent of Malaysians are smokers, so the majority still do not smoke. Nobody can
argue that smoking is bad for one’s health. More people die of tobacco-related diseases and
illnesses than in road accidents, so it’s a basic issue of health and safety concerns in a
public place.

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“Laws previously outlawed smoking in five foot ways and under roofs, but they were not
enforced. Signs indicating which areas are non-smoking must be more visible. Restaurant
owners must be educated on their rights to deny service to those breaking the law and how
to handle irate customers. There will be a period of adjustment, but ultimately smoking is not
a right. A right cannot infringe on other’s rights, such as the right to health and clean air.
Therefore smoking is not a right.”

However, some have come to the defence of smokers. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak,
who was ousted in the elections last year and is now on trial for multiple charges of
corruption, called the ban “draconian and unfair”.

“Even on the five-footway [sheltered walkway], smoking is not allowed,” Najib said. “If
smoking on five-footway is prohibited, can people only smoke in the middle of the road and
wait to be run over by a bus?”

This is not Malaysia’s first attempt to toughen anti-smoking laws. In 2011, heritage city
Melaka banned smokers in an attempt to increase tourist numbers. Three years later, the
government banned smoking at highway rest stops although this was not enforced and
smokers largely ignored the new rules.

The Health Ministry is also considering extending the smoking ban to universities and
schools, although universities have long been gazetted as no-smoking zones. The
government has repeatedly increased the excise duty on cigarettes, hoping to deter
smokers; this propelled the illegal cigarette trade.

In tightening smoking restrictions, Malaysia has sought to catch up with neighbouring

countries such as Singapore and Thailand, although they did not endure anywhere near the
backlash of Malaysia. On the day Malaysia’s smoking ban came into effect, Singapore
imposed a blanket smoke-free ruling on popular tourist spot Orchard Road, removing
smoking corners in eateries and allowing lighting up only in designated spots in an attempt to
tackle pollution levels. In stark contrast to Malaysia, the Orchard Road ban was met
peacefully and with little protest, in keeping with the city state’s trademark acquiescence to
rules.

In Malaysia, however, the struggle may be uphill: restaurant owner associations insist more
time is needed for full compliance. So far, the government has stuck to its guns on the
dangers of lighting up, mobilising 5,000 officers to enforce the ban. Despite repeated
questioning, Health Minister Dzulkefly remained determined to stamp out the habit for good.

“We won’t backtrack,” he told Malaysian media. “Let’s see who is going to ensure the
cleanliness of our air and defend the elderly and children in public places.”

Read more at
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2181454/malaysias-tough-new-restri
ctions-public-smoking-provoke-fierce

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Essay Writing Assignment (30%)

1. Read the article on “New smoking ban meets with backlash” to provide you some
ideas about the issue.

2. Write an opinion essay of 200-250 words which includes the following:

a. an introduction with a thesis statement
b. three (3) topic sentences
c. supporting details to support the three topic sentences
d. a conclusion

Question
In your opinion, should the government ban smoking in public places? Provide reasons to
your answer.

Ans:

In my opinion, the government has the right to ban smoking in public places. Given its right
to ban, the government has reinforced its law for a stricter rules to Malaysian because how
high the bar of people smoking daily. It is to ensure the wellbeing of the country peoples
health. As to what the government had said, Malaysia is a democratic country.

One of the impact if smoking continues to taint the country for so long, people will get all
kinds of illnesses. 23.8% of Malaysian are smokers, within those people involve in smoking
could potentially damages their lung for longer terms and even more to people who are
healthy get easily sick.

However this wasn’t just the first banning smoking Malaysia had done before, Heritage City
Malaysia did attempted to tighten the anti-smoke law first as the way to increase of tourist
visiting the country.

This can also be related to environment. Smoke cause high level pollution and Singapore did
something to lower it down effectively by imposing smoke-free ruling in particular places.

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To summarize everything, smoking is bad and the government to ban smoking has the legal
rights to the wellbeing of the peoples standard of living.

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