Will smokers choose tapau and eat at home after the ban?

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Smokers Indicate Preference for Takeaway and Home Consumption Post-Ban

Smokers interviewed have indicated that they would opt for takeaway meals and consume them at home or in private spaces if smoking is prohibited in restaurants. This shift in behaviour stems from the inability to smoke while dining out, a practice that has historically made eateries a common social space for smokers.
Preference for Private Consumption Spaces

Six smokers surveyed stated their intention to eat at home or in a private location if they are unable to smoke at restaurants. For instance, Sarawana Raj, 29, explicitly mentioned that a smoking ban would lead him to stop dining at restaurants altogether, preferring to purchase food for home consumption and smoke afterwards. This suggests that the integration of smoking with dining is a significant factor for this demographic.
Restaurants as Common Hangouts for Smokers

The sentiment is echoed by Muhamad Izham Azman, a 24-year-old civil servant, who noted that restaurants have traditionally served as a common place for smokers to gather and smoke, particularly when unable to do so at their workplaces or homes. He indicated that without the option to smoke, the appeal of dining at such establishments diminishes, leading to a preference for alternative private locations.
Impact on Restaurant Patronage

The inability to smoke at restaurants is expected to directly influence where smokers choose to eat. Muhamad Izham Azman further elaborated that if smoking is not permitted, the point of sitting at a shop becomes less relevant, and smokers might seek other places to smoke, potentially including their cars. This indicates a potential reduction in dine-in customers for establishments that currently cater to smokers.
Shift Away from Traditional Dining Habits

The interviews suggest a potential disruption to established dining habits for smokers. Historically, restaurants have served a dual purpose for some, offering food and a space to smoke. The impending ban signals a move away from this combined activity, with smokers anticipating a greater reliance on takeaway options to accommodate their smoking routines.

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Will smokers choose tapau and eat at home after the ban?

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