Five areas in Melaka Gazetted As Cigarette Smoke Free Zone

 

**Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai (second right) presenting prizes to the tournament champion Say No to Cigarette Smoke on Alor Gajah Municipal Council representatives at the National No Tobacco Day in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, Saturday. Participate, Chairman of the State Committee on Health, Rehabilitation Project, the Small Town Development and the NGO Datuk Seet Har Cheow (right). - BERNAMA Photo

Five area of ​​338 hectares in Malacca was declared as a smoke-free zone on 15 June, Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the area is a world heritage city of Malacca, Melaka Raya, Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), the central town of Alor Gajah and Jasin downtown.
Anyone found smoking cigarettes at smoke-free zone could be fined a total of RM300 although the compound is usually a maximum of RM5, 000, he told reporters after opening the World No Tobacco Day celebration in Bandar Hilir here today.

However, the minister said premises or areas owned by individuals who are in the five areas are exempt from the ban.
He said Singapore was the first country to proclaim a wide area as smoke-free zone that shows the state of Malacca and the Ministry of Health is serious about protecting the public, especially women and children from being exposed to cigarette smoke that adversely affect health.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Health to gazette the 21 places where smoking is prohibited, such as hospitals, in public transport, educational institutions, shopping centers and stadiums, he said.
He said this year, the ministry launched a "war" against non-infectious diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and various types of cancer, where smoking is an important factor contributing to the disease.
He said the implementation of smoke-free zone is expected to attract more tourists to Malacca is like fresh air without the smoke.
About the compound of the offense under the Regulation of Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004, the minister said that between January and April this year, the compound produced is close to RM1 million and the total, RM756, 988 was paid. - BERNAMA