Nearly 600 smoking notices issued in George Town Heritage Zone since 2022, says Penang rep

GEORGE TOWN, June 5 — The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) has issued 597 notices for smoking within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site here, through 114 enforcement operations since 2022.

State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the world heritage site was gazetted as a smoke-free zone since 2015 and is now subjected to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).

“Throughout last year, 106 notices were issued. However, that number has increased this year, with 127 notices issued so far, surpassing the previous year’s total.

“In view of this, we will continue to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with the stipulated regulations,” he told reporters after launching the Penang Smoke-Free (PENBAR) promotional materials at the George Town World Heritage Site here today.

Gooi said the increase in notices shows some individuals still fail to comply with the ban despite ongoing educational and advocacy efforts.

He said under Act 852, individuals found smoking in smoke-free zones can face a compound fine of RM250 for each offence.

“We understand that alongside continuous public education, enforcement action must be taken to ensure compliance within the George Town World Heritage Site,” he said.

He added that the state government and JKNPP are intensifying public awareness by installing more promotional materials and warning boards.

Gooi said besides the George Town Heritage Site, several other locations in Penang have also been gazetted as smoke-free zones under Act 852, namely the Jalan Utama Municipal Park, Jalan Air Terjun Botanical Gardens, Air Itam Dam, and Teluk Bahang Dam on the island.

On the mainland, the ban covers the Mengkuang Dam in Berapit and the Ampang Jajar Town Park.

Earlier, Gooi and 70 personnel from the JKNPP Enforcement Division distributed campaign leaflets at premises and fitted banners and special sunshades on trishaws to boost tourist awareness of the smoking ban within the heritage zone. — Bernama