Penang plans smoking kiosks

Smoking kiosks will be set up around the island once the Health Ministry approves the Penang government’s proposal to make the state smoke-free.

State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the designated smoking areas, by the roadside or in open air areas, complete with ashtrays and chairs, would be built to accommodate some 20 people.

He said, however, a survey would be conducted before the move was implemented in stages.

Phee said since it was difficult to get people to stop smoking, it would be easier to provide smoking areas for them.

“We respect their right to smoke even though it’s detrimental to health,” he said.

Phee said the smoking and non-smoking areas would be gazetted based on general consensus.

Phee said chances were that the state would emulate Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea to differentiate the smoking and non-smoking zones.

THESTAR