On January 1, 2019, the Malaysian government banned smoking in all restaurants and eateries in Malaysia, including inside air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned cafés, coffee shops, open-air hawker centers, and even near street stalls. In support of the ban, Maxim E-hailing launched a large-scale campaign against smoking in public areas by placing “No smoking” posters.
The campaign started in 2019 and still continues today, as Maxim strive to maintain the level of awareness about the hazards of smoking within the community. In total, approximately 45,000 “No smoking” posters have been placed throughout the country so far, with more than 2,000 restaurants participating in the campaign.
The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the growing concerns about adverse health effects of secondhand smoke; the program also aims to protect non-smokers from involuntary exposure to harmful substances.
“Our strategy has included impactful social posters that highlight the dangers of smoking and the benefits of living smoke-free. By consistently disseminating information through eye-catching posters we raise awareness of the harmful effects of indoor smoking on both smokers and non-smokers, particularly detrimental to vulnerable populations like children and people with respiratory diseases. Overall, our campaign has the potential to significantly decrease the number of indoor smokers by fostering a culture of health and well-being. We must continue to amplify our efforts and adapt our strategies to ensure we reach and resonate with as many individuals as possible. Together, we can create a healthier future for everyone,”
said the Director of Maxim Malaysia, Mohd Hazwan Musley.
As one of the strategies utilized throughout the campaign, Maxim has collaborated and partnered with restaurants to spread information about the dangers of smoking. The “No smoking” posters provided by Maxim as part of this cooperation project have also helped the restaurants keep the environment in and around them smoke-free.
“We feel so lucky because this incentive has helped us promote smoke-free lifestyle and indicate to the customers that our café is a non-smoking area. And there wasn’t just one poster either — they were placed in every corner of the café, and, most importantly, also outside of the building where most of the smokers tend to have a cigarette after they eat,”
said the owner of Santai Cafe, Malacca City.
“Several efforts have been made by the Ministry of Health to decrease the number of people who are affected by cigarette smoke. Starting 2019, the data has shown a stable decrease in the number of patients with lung problems. It demonstrates that the campaign against smoking indoors has had a huge impact on the community,” as stated by a public health officer.
Since 2019, Maxim E-hailing has been putting its sincere effort into creating a smoke-free environment in eateries and indoor spaces. Thus far, the different types of creative “No smoking” posters have had a positive impact on society. The company is willing to continue its campaign, as they are determined to inform as many people as possible about the severe adverse effects that smoking ultimately has on people’s health.
