Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..

August 21, 2009 - Shoppers and visitors to Komtar (means Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak) in Penang, Malaysia are urged to observe the ‘No Smoking’ ban or risk getting fined a maximum of RM10,000 (10,000.00MYR=2,833.28USD) or jailed up to two years under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004. (Komtar, the tallest building in Penang and the sixth tallest building in Malaysia, is a shopping complex in the center of Georgetown. Georgetown is the capital of the island and in the state of Penang.)

State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said enforcement officers from the Health Department would be mobilized from ‘time to time’ to Komtar to ensure that the smoking ban was not flouted at the gazetted areas. He added that the move was to create greater awareness on the ill effects of smoking, clean up the air within the Komtar vicinity and revive the state’s iconic landmark image.

“We hope the no smoking ban will improve Komtar’s image and draw more people to the complex,” he told reporters after launching a ‘Don’t Want to Smoke At Komtar’ Campaign at Komtar on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Phee added that the state government, through the State Secretariat, would identify civil servants to act as ‘inspectors’ to advise and educate their colleagues caught smoking inside government offices in Komtar.

“The campaign is a three-pronged strategy to produce healthy air with no smoke pollutants for shoppers and visitors to Komtar.” He said the move was also timely in view of the Ramadan as it would discourage Muslims from smoking during fasting hours. The four-day campaign also saw visitors registering at the no-smoking clinics and attending talks and exhibitions.

Reference: Strict ban on smoking in Komtar , the Star online, 8/21/2009.

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