SMOKING isn’t just anti-social but is also dirty, smelly and a serious health hazard to boot, not just to the tobacco-lover but to individuals in close proximity as well.
In Malaysia, non-smokers have long had to put up with nicotine addicts puffing away in no smoking zones, most notably in kopitiam and mamak restaurants.
This has led to confrontations in the past between the smoking and non-smoking factions, sometimes turning ugly. Recall that a recent incident over lighting up in a nasi kandar restaurant in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor escalated into a brawl.
Another similar disagreement over non-smokers’ rights was highlighted in a clip shared on X by @localrkyt.
The poster expressed dismay and disgust over smokers who ignore clearly marked ‘no smoking’ zones while applauding the akak (lady) who had the gumption to confront the nicotine addict.
Bangang betul jenis merokok kat tempat terang tak boleh merokok.
Salute dekat akak tu tegur, sebab tak semua berani tegur 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eagfLIlz8G
— 🇲🇾 (@localrkyt) April 26, 2026
Noting that not everyone had the courage to speak up, the poster insinuated that this no smoking law needs stricter enforcement and not be dependent on unofficial enforcement officers like the akak in the video to call out offenders.
The ineffectiveness of the enforcement agencies was highlighted by one commenter who expressed anger that the complaints hotline for such matters was of little use. Complaints and reports did not actually lead to any meaningful action.
It was also argued that the onus be placed on restaurant owners to ensure their premises are smoke free.
If the dining establishments were penalised with forced closure, this commenter was sure that restauranteurs would hire gangsters to enforce the no smoking rule.
It was noted that even civil servants were seen nonchalantly puffing away under no smoking signs in departmental cafes in Putrajaya.
If the law was NOT being enforced in government offices and buildings, what are the chances of this law being enforced in other restaurant premises?
The issue of lax enforcement was a recurring theme with one commenter likening the wait for enforcement officers to appear and take action was like waiting for “kucing bertanduk” (literally waiting for felines to grow horns), denoting impossibility.
This sentiment surrounding poor enforcement of smoking laws was echoed by digital creator Roman Akromovic (@SyedAkramin) who also applauded the action of the outspoken akak.
Tagging both Health Ministry and its head, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, this irate influencer argued that the “tonnes of data and thousands of endless compounds issued mean nothing” given many smokers have this entitled attitude.
Kalau report ke @KKMPutrajaya dan @DrDzul, mereka akan beritahu sudah keluarkan beribu-ribu kompaun. Mereka akan tunjuk segala data dan statistik.
Tapi itu semua tak berguna kalau di lapangan masih ramai tak segan silu merokok di kedai makan. Tak ada sedikit pun rasa bersalah. https://t.co/fHy4sg3kML
— Roman Akramovich (@SyedAkramin) April 26, 2026
One obviously disgusted commenter declared that the problem was that even the enforcement officers were puffing away in makan shops.
When a citizen complains loudly, it is the complainant who is seen as “mentally ill” while these enforcement officers are paid for NOT doing their jobs.
The entitled attitude of Malaysian smokers was also brought up with one angry commenter putting the blame squarely at Malay-Muslim smokers, claiming that other races did not so brazenly flout no smoking rules.
Editor’s Note: Such smokers who brazenly flout the rules come from all walks of life. Enter a Chinese kopitiam or an Indian banana leaf restaurant, the offenders are likely to be non-Malays. Such anti-social behaviour transcends racial boundaries.
Some novel ideas were floated on how best to enforce these laws. One was to engage enforcement officers on contract while another commenter suggested utilising RELA personnel to do the job.
The authorities would do well to look into such recommendations as the video shows that non-smokers are fed up with their rights being trampled on.
To avoid future fisticuffs or the need for brave akak to admonish inconsiderate smokers, the authorities really need to get their act together. – April 28, 2026
