KUALA LUMPUR, SINGAPORE: Bad news for smokers in the city -- those who puff in no-smoking areas will be slapped with a fine of RM250 (S$107) with immediate effective.

This has been enforced by the Federal Territory Health Department in conjunction with World Tobacco Day on May 31.

Deputy director (public health) Dr Sallehudin Abu Bakar said the department was coming down hard on smokers who continued to flout the law.

"We will enforce the tobacco control regulations, besides stationing more enforcement officers at no-smoking zones, like hospitals, government offices and shopping complexes.

"We are intensifying efforts to mark World Tobacco Day and to stop more people from smoking," he said yesterday.

In the past, smokers caught puffing away in no-smoking areas were only given a warning. Now, they have to settle the fine within two weeks or face legal action.

Dr Sallehudin said officers would also be on the lookout for shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to minors, and food operators who do not display the no-smoking sign at their premises.

"Public health and safety cannot be compromised," he said, adding that an operation to weed out those who smoke in no-smoking zones was being conducted.

The operation started yesterday and will last until the end of the month.

Yesterday, eight smokers were caught puffing away at the grounds of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Petaling Jaya. They were served with a notice to reply within 14 days to the department. -NST