Ah Seng putting up row of posters to warn customers against smoking in his coffeeshop in George Town. -- CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Penang coffeeshop owner Ah Seng, who only wanted to be known by that name, does not smoke and is determined to make sure no one else does in his shop either.

When the 59-year-old spots a patron placing a cigarette pack on a table, he walks over with a friendly but firm reminder that his decade-old coffeeshop in Lebuh Bishop, George Town, is a smoke-free zone.

"For years, I have been warning customers not to light up or sneak a quick puff on a vape," said Ah Seng.

"Health Department officers conduct regular checks, so I want to protect not only my customers but also myself from being fined."

Ah Seng's vigilance began long before the new federal regulations against smoking on dining premises.

Since 2015, George Town's Unesco World Heritage Site where his shop is located has been gazetted as a smoke-free zone covering all public spaces.

The Federal Government's stricter enforcement of Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) came into effect on Oct 1 last year.

However, manufacturers and importers were given a year to update packaging and labelling of their products to comply with the new regulations.

The grace period ended last month, meaning all smoking product packaging must be plain and display mandated health warnings. Terms such as "light," "ultra-light" and "mild" are banned.

As a third-generation owner of a coffeeshop that still sells cigarettes at the counter, Ah Seng said cigarette sales had dropped significantly.

"Over the past 10 years, cigarette sales have fallen by about 50% due to lower demand and rising prices.

"With the rule requiring us to keep them out of sight, I expect sales to decline further," he said.

Ah Seng has put up multiple no-smoking warning signs inside his shop.

However, he noted that some stubborn smokers continued to push their luck. Some sit by the window to puff away.

"Others walk in with a lit cigarette, pretending they are unaware or have forgotten about the ban," said Ah Seng.

"I give stern warnings, but if they ignore me, there's only so much I can do."

Meanwhile, Penang is ramping up enforcement.

State youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said some 300 Health Department enforcement officers had been authorised to act under the new law statewide.

"As of Aug 5, a total of 2,647 compounds have been issued for smoking violations at food premises, while 137 notices were issued to business owners for failing to display warning signs," he said.

Gooi added that enforcement would be conducted on a regular basis and urged the public to cooperate.