Penang Hill to be gazetted as a non-smoking zone

GEORGE TOWN: Smokers will soon have to be alert not to light up any cigarettes at the open space in Penang Hill as the popular spot in Air Itam will be gazetted as a non-smoking zone.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general Cheok Lay Leng said this initiative was to support the public health commitment set by the Health Ministry and preserve the tourist spot's natural environment.
He said the programme was not merely only about non-smoking but it was an effort to inculcate public awareness and protecting the green lung of Penang Hill.
He said clean fresh air is vital to the preservation of surroundings and the gazette as non-smoking zone will further make Penang Hill a top destination for eco-tourism.
He, nonetheless, said it will also spur the tourist spot effort to attain "Unesco Biosphere Reserve" soon.
"We want to make this place as a hill resort of choice in the country," he added in his speech during the launching of "Toward non-smoking gazettement of Penang Hill" programme.
Present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state Health Department director Datuk Dr. M. Sukumar.
In reference to the Amendment of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2017 effectively Feb 1 this year, all public parks and national parks in the country are gazetted as non-smoking areas.
Sukumar, however, said process of prohibiting smokers from lighting up in the area will take up to four months.
He said the gazette application will be tabled during the state exco meeting before being submitted to the Health Ministry through his department for further action.
"It takes time," he added
Meanwhile, Lim lauded the move to extend the smoke free environment to more areas on the hill.
He hoped tourists flocking to the destination will increase to 1.7million after recording 1.6 million of people last year.
"It is one of the best tourist hangout here, " he said, adding six recreational parks in the state have been gazetted as non-smoking zone since 2012.
The six are: Air Itam Dam, Youth Park, Botanical Garden, Teluk Bahang Dam, Ampang Jajar Park and Mengkuang Dam.