SMOKING BAN AT PENANG STATE ASSEMBLY BUILDING

PENANG (Malaysia), April 15 (Bernama) -- The northern state of Penang has
launched a Smoking-Free Initiative aimed at stamping out smoking and negative
elements associated with the bad habit starting with the State Assembly
building.

"As lawmakers, state assemblymen should respect the no smoking ruling and
set a good example to others," State Exco for Health, Welfare, Caring Society
and Environment Phee Boon Poh said at a press conference together with State
Assembly Speaker Abdul Halim Hussain here Tuesday.

He said the no smoking ruling was effective immediately in the state
assembly building and its compound and that no special areas would be designated
as smoking zones for the state assemblymen.

"The no smoking ruling also covers civil servants and uniformed members on
duty and those caught smoking can be fined up to RM500, disciplined or charged
in court.

"The same applies to state assemblymen. Officers from the Health Department
and local authorities will be stationed at the state assembly to enforce the no
smoking ruling," he said.

Phee said other areas to be gazzetted as non-smoking zones are government
offices, hospitals and public transporation like ferries.

The state government also plans to gazette the Mengkuang and Telok Bahang
dams as non-smoking areas to protect the environment from pollution.

He said the initiative was in support of the "Tak Nak Merokok" (No To
Smoking) campaign by former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. (US$1=RM3.60)
-- BERNAMA