SMOKING BAN EXTENDED TO PRIVATE SECTOR OFFICES STARTING TUESDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has decided to enforce
'no smoking' ban at works places and offices in the private sector that are
installed with central air-conditioning systems, starting June 1, said Health
Minister Liow Tiong Lai Monday.

Liow said the inclusion of smoking ban on private sectors offices and work
places would raise the total number of places designated as no smoking areas to
21.

Earlier 19 areas, including hospitals/clinics, public lifts and toilets,
air-conditioned restaurants, public transport, government premises, educational
institutions, petrol stations, Internet cafes and shopping complexes, were
designated as no smoking areas.

"The move will protect non-smokers in offices and work places from becoming
'second hand smokers' and thus prevent them from illnesses or diseases related
to smoke," he told reporters after launching the National level World
Tobacco-Free Day here Monday in the presence of World Health Organisation (WHO)
representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Dr Corinne Capuano.

The theme for this year's campaign, "Gender and Tobacco: with an emphasis on
marketing to women" was emphasized on preventing cigarette companies from
targetting women smokers during their marketing campaigns.

Liow said the ministry would also increase enforcement at restricted areas
so that public would observe the rules.

He added that since smokers have become comfortable with warning pictures
placed on cigarette boxes, the government would change the pictures to be more
effective.

"So now, I'll ask my department to conduct a formal study of what kind of
picture actually can scare them (smokers)," he said.

-- BERNAMA