Sunday October 14, 2012

More smoke-free zones in Penang

By ROYCE TAN and CAVINA LIM
north@thestar.com.my

‘Smoke on the water’: Some people are seemingly unaware of the new rule gazetted for public parks like the Air Itam dam.

GEORGE TOWN: The move by the Health Ministry to gazette six places in Penang as non-smoking zones effective Oct 1 has received the public's unanimous approval.

Businessman Wong Chen Yew, 42, lauded the move but was wondering why signboards or notices about the gazette had yet to be placed at the Penang Municipal Park, one of the six non-smoking zones.

The other five are the Botanic Gardens, Air Itam Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam, Mengkuang Dam and Ampang Jajar Park.

A casual smoker, retiree S. Segaran, 61, said it would be best if public places remained smoke-free.

“There are children all around and it is definitely not appropriate to smoke at these places,” he said when met at the Botanic Gardens yesterday.

A smoker, who wished to be known only as Chew, said the move to gazette these places as non-smoking areas would not have an effect on him.

Clearing the air: Wong and Segaran (pic below) both approve of the no-smoking areas.

“I am not aware of the move but it will not make much difference to me as I do not go to such places to smoke.

“When I do, it is usually in the comfort of my home or in places such as coffeeshops,” said the 30-year-old hotel manager.

Sharing the same sentiment was audio engineer Alexander Lee, 22, who believed that smokers should be considerate towards others.

“Just because we smoke, we cannot expect everyone around us to accept our habit.

“I think this is a good idea.”

When contacted, state Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said signboards had already been handed over to the Penang Municipal Council and would be put up soon.

He advised smokers to give up their bad habit for better health and the environment.

Those wanting to kick the habit can visit any district hospital for assistance.

Among the other places which have been gazetted as non-smoking zones were airports, universities, lifts, public toilets, libraries, Internet cafes and government offices.

News

Sunday October 14, 2012

More smoke-free zones in Penang

By ROYCE TAN and CAVINA LIM north@thestar.com.my

By ROYCE TAN and CAVINA LIM
north@thestar.com.my