KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 7* — The Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) has urged its 12,000 member establishments to stop selling cigarettes, with about 40% already complying. President Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan cited a restaurant in Puncak Alam that received a letter of appreciation from the Health Minister for its smoke-free policy.

He believes this shift aligns with the halal principles many restaurants aim for, drawing a parallel to the decline of alcohol sales in the past. However, Presma is concerned about the new Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which could impose fines on restaurants that fail to prevent smoking on their premises. 

While acknowledging their limited authority, Jawahar expressed hope that the Health Minister will find a balanced solution and emphasized the importance of fostering a non-smoking culture in food establishments. The Act was gazetted in February, with enforcement beginning on October 1