Malaysia has moved to ban smoking and vaping in all restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centers, even open-air ones. The anti-smoking rules have been on the books for years, but till now only enforced in enclosed, air-conditioned restaurants and workplaces. The government is allowing smokers time to get to grips with the change, but some restaurant owners are worried about the economic hit they're taking. Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

Till a couple of weeks ago, this was a common sight at non-air conditioned eating places. But as of January 1st, anyone smoking within three metres of an eatery faces fines of up to $2500 dollars.

DR. DZULKEFLY AHMAD MALAYSIAN HEALTH MINISTER "It's just not about banning or prohibiting but more to ensure we have safe and clean air in particular in these public places."

RIAN MAELZER KUALA LUMPUR "Enforcement officers have visited more than 30-thousand restaurants and issued upwards of 14,000 warnings since the ban was imposed."

For the first six months, the government won't impose fines but will focus on education. It already appears to be working.

"We smokers, we accept it. We are trying to smoke very far away."

"I feel it's ok, lah. Just come three metres away, you smoke. See, I'm still free. I'm smoking here."

Many restaurant owners are worried, though.

TING CHOO HEW CHINESE COFFEE & TEA SHOPKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION "Since we started following the new rules at the beginning of the year, we've had a lot of complaints from our members that business is down by about 40 percent. We really hope the government can show more flexibility."

Smoking has long been banned in air-conditioned spaces. But the government says it will now roll out the smoking ban to cover more and more public places.

DR. DZULKEFLY AHMAD MALAYSIAN HEALTH MINISTER "This is in light of us moving forward and projecting a trajectory of a more advanced society that understands good values."

The minister says the government will resist pressure from businesses and disgruntled smokers, and will not backtrack on its clampdown.

Rian Maelzer, CGTN, Kuala Lumpur.