A viral video from Malaysia has sparked anger online after it showed an elderly man, commonly referred to as “uncle”, deliberately blowing cigarette smoke at another diner who told him not to smoke in a non-smoking eatery.
The 17-second clip, shared on Reddit, captured the uncle taking a long drag from his cigarette before exhaling the smoke directly towards the person who confronted him. The incident quickly drew criticism, with many netizens slamming such behaviour as entitled and inconsiderate, particularly when restaurants in Malaysia are legally designated smoke-free zones.
One witness wrote that the man became “offended” after being asked to stop smoking, prompting his defiant act. Others in the comments expressed frustration at the rising number of smokers disregarding the ban, even in family-friendly areas where children and pregnant women are present.
Comparison With Singapore’s Strict Rules
Several netizens were quick to compare Malaysia’s enforcement with Singapore’s firm stance on smoking. In Singapore, lighting up in prohibited areas such as hawker centres, coffee shops and bus stops can result in immediate fines. One Redditor noted, “If in Singapore, enforcement officers would show up within minutes with photographic evidence.”
The National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore imposes fines of up to S$1,000 on first-time offenders, and businesses can also face penalties if they fail to display proper signage or allow smoking on their premises. This no-nonsense approach has contributed to Singapore’s reputation for having cleaner public spaces and stricter compliance with health regulations.
Malaysia’s Law and Penalties
Under Malaysia’s Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, smoking and vaping are prohibited at all eateries — including outdoor dining areas — unless the smoker is at least three metres away from food preparation or serving zones. Violators face fines of up to RM10,000 (about S$2,940) or potential jail time.
Health authorities also encourage the public to report such incidents through WhatsApp by providing the restaurant’s name, address, time of violation, and supporting photos or videos if safe to capture.
Public opinion remains divided, but many agree that stricter enforcement is needed to deter repeat offenders. As one commenter aptly put it, “Already old but still acting like a small child. Rules are rules — don’t make others suffer because of your smoke.”