Article: State may declare Gurney Drive a smoke-free zone

Monday July 20, 2009

By WINNIE YEOH

SMOKERS visiting Penang's Gurney Drive may have to put out their cigarettes soon. The state is drawing up a list of recreational areas to be gazetted as no-smoking zones and this tourist hot spot may be on the list.

Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state was considering gazetting part of the promenade as a smoke-free zone to create a greener environment for Penangites and tourists.

"Gurney Drive used to have such a nice breeze and fresh air but now it's polluted by vehicle fumes and the stench of mudflats.

"We'll meet with business owners in the area to discuss the matter," he said after launching a photo competition at Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital on Tuesday.

The contest, sponsored by Sunshine Wholesale Mart, Canon Marketing and Kuan Yee Bridal Collections, is aimed at spreading cancer awareness to the public.

Phee said the state Health Department was drawing up a list of places to be gazetted as no-smoking zones and would submit it to the state executive council for endorsement and subsequently to the Health Ministry for approval.

Other recreational spots which Phee had proposed earlier are Penang Hill, Penang Botanic Gardens, Mengkuang Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang National Park in Pantai Acheh, Bukit Panchor State Park, Hutan Lipur Bukit Penara in Balik Pulau, Hutan Lipur Air Itam Dalam in Sungai Dua, Hutan Lipur Malindo in Teluk Bahang, Hutan Lipur Relau and Hutan Lipur Bukit Mertajam.

Phee said Malaysia spent about RM10bil a year to treat smoking-related diseases.

"The money can be put to better use, like helping the hardcore poor," he said.

Phee also said the smoke-free campaign launched by the state in April initially met with a lot of resistance, but the public were starting to understand the benefits of the move which included enforcement at no-smoking zones such as the Penang ferries.

He welcomes feedback on his proposal to penalise those caught smoking in no-smoking zones with community service like going on the streets to educate others caught smoking at prohibited areas.

He proposed that the maximum RM500 fine be imposed on those caught smoking in prohibited areas, with the amount to be reduced only if they chose to attend awareness classes and agreed to the community service.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: South & East 20 July 2009