Smoking ban bylaw not yet effective

Jakarta / Wed, October 28 2009 / 01:28 pm

SURABAYA: Surabaya Deputy Mayor Arif Afandi has urged public order officers to be strict and consistent in prosecuting people or institutions breaking the newly implemented bylaw prohibiting smoking in certain areas. Arif said Tuesday there were still many public places in the city that had no designated smoking rooms yet. "I find there is no significant effect yet from the implemetation of the bylaw, as I still see many people smoking everywhere," he said. "I also find that most of the public areas in Surabaya have not provided smoking rooms yet." The Surabaya municipal administration has put into effect on Oct. 22 a 2008 bylaw prohibiting smoking unless in designated areas. However, there are still many public areas and administration offices that have yet to provided smoking rooms. -JP...