Despite Malaysia’s clear laws prohibiting smoking within 3 metres of eateries, including roadside stalls and open-air dining areas, many still ignore these rules.
No-smoking signs are displayed almost everywhere, yet smokers continue to light up near food establishments, putting other patrons at risk of inhaling second-hand smoke or, worse, having ash land on their food.
Photo via TikTok (@wawameoww)
One such incident recently gained traction on social media after a Malaysian woman, known as WawaMeow, shared her frustrating dining experience on TikTok. What was meant to be a simple food video quickly turned into a moment of disbelief.
In the clip, WawaMeow had just begun enjoying her meal while seated at a table placed outside a restaurant when a man casually walked past smoking a cigarette. Moments later, cigarette ash drifted from his lit cigarette and landed directly onto her plate and dipping sauce.
“Can you imagine how excited I was to eat when suddenly… What is this thing that fell onto my food? It turned out to be cigarette ash,” she wrote in her post.
While her partner suggested she simply remove the ash and continue eating, WawaMeow was clearly disheartened. She put down her cutlery and stopped filming.
The video sparked outrage online, with many echoing the same sentiment: smokers need to be more mindful of their surroundings: “It’s unforgivable to just ash your cigarette like that in public. He clearly wasn’t aware of who was around him,” one user commented.
“If you want to smoke, that’s your choice. But don’t do it while walking past people who are eating. Not everyone can tolerate the smell of cigarettes. Just have some common sense,” another wrote.
This isn’t just about smoking. It’s about respect. Respecting public spaces, respecting each other, and being aware of how your actions affect those around you.
Let’s all be a little more considerate. Whether it’s putting out a cigarette before walking near diners or simply disposing of rubbish properly, every small action counts.
Be mindful. Respect others. Keep our environment clean.
