Last week, the Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman was quoted in the media calling on the public to take photos and record videos of individuals smoking in prohibited areas, such as restaurants, and submit them to the authorities for further action.
While I support enforcement of smoking bans in non-designated areas, including restaurants, I do not believe that turning ordinary Malaysians into vigilantes is the right approach.
Firstly, doing so could set off unnecessary conflicts. Last year in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, a fight nearly broke out when a diner took a photo of a smoker at a restaurant. The video of the confrontation went viral, highlighting the real risk of physical disputes arising from this approach.
Confronting smokers who may react aggressively should not be the responsibility of the public. It is unfair and unsafe to expect every day Malaysians to engage in enforcement, as this could potentially put themselves at risk.
There is also the issue of privacy. What safeguards are in place to ensure that these photos and videos do not end up being circulated on social media, leading to public shaming? There is no guarantee that complaints will be handled discreetly. Without proper oversight, this initiative could easily be misused as a tool for harassment or false accusations.
Instead of relying on the public, the Ministry of Health and the Johor Health and Environment Committee should step up enforcement through proper channels. This includes installing CCTV cameras at smoking hotspots, dispatching more enforcement officers, and ensuring that fines are strictly imposed.
I suggest that the Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman retract his advice asking the public to take on this role. While the goal of reducing smoking in non-designated areas is important, this approach is not the solution. Proper enforcement by trained personnel is a much better way to ensure compliance without causing unnecessary risks and conflicts.
