Towards Smoke Free Penang
- 1. TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE PENANG Haslina Hashim Clearinghouse For Tobacco Control National Poison Centre Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang, Malaysia Third Malaysian Conference on Tobacco Control (MCTC 2009) 8 9 August 2009
- 2. INTRODUCTION Initiated in March 2008 Adopted a number of strategies Garner support from relevant stakeholders Educate and create awareness Research projects Support industries SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT
- 3. BACKGROUND - No smoke-free states and territories yet in Malaysia - Support for smoke-free environment is strong - Concern on smoking issues especially among school children - Fulfill Article 8 of the FCTC - Introduce a setting in Penang to be followed by other states in Malaysia SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT
- 4. Why Smoke-free Penang? Smoke-free in other countries
- 5. Why Smoke-free Penang? Davao City (Mindanao), Philipines Luang Prabang, Laos PDR Smoke-free in Southeast Asia
- 6. BACKGROUND - No smoke-free states and territories in Malaysia - Support for smoke-free environment is strong - Concern on smoking issues especially among school children - Fulfill Article 8 of the FCTC - Introduce a setting in Penang to be followed by other states in Malaysia SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT
- 7. Results of the Malaysian ITC Survey Support for Smoke-free Policy: 4 out of 5 non-smokers support smoke-free policy in workplaces and restaurants 3 out of 5 smokers also support this policy Why Smoke-free Penang?
- 8. BACKGROUND - No smoke-free states and territories in Malaysia - Support for smoke-free environment is strong - Concern on smoking issues especially among school children - Introduce a setting in Penang to be followed by other states in Malaysia - Fulfill Article 8 of the FCTC SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT
- 9. GYTS, WHO (2003) Average: 20.2% of smokers - 36.3% (males) 4.2 % (females) YOUTH SMOKERS - MALAYSIA
- 10. BACKGROUND - No smoke-free states and territories in Malaysia - Support for smoke-free environment is strong - Concern on smoking issues especially among school children - - Fulfill Article 8 of the FCTC - Introduce a setting in Penang to be followed by other states in Malaysia SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT
- 11. Opportunities! Georgetown and Malacca listed on World Heritage Site ( The Star Online - Wednesday July 9, 2008) Best position to implement smoke-free legislation Malacca too is moving towards smoke-free city
- 12. Opportunities! There was a change of government after the March 2008 General Election The Executive Committee Member for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment, Mr Phee Boon Poh is a non-smoker, very sincere, committed and passionate towards this project
- 13. How We Go About Doing It? Gather all the facts about smoke-free issues and present them in a book : Towards Smoke free Penang
- 14. Other References Cries of the Heart Global Voice for a Smoke-free World Article 8: Protection from Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke
- 15. How We Go About Doing It? A series of meetings and discussions with the Penang State Government represented by Mr Phee Boon Poh the EXCO (Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment)
- 16. How We Go About Doing It? 12 March 2009 Briefing to the Speaker, all State Assembly Members, NGOs and community leaders from different districts and villages in Penang A written proposal sent to Mr Phee in April 2009 25 June 2009 Presentation during the Tak Nak ROKOK Seminar
- 17. Actions Taken In April 2009, the Penang government beefed up enforcement against smokers in public places
- 18. Actions Taken April 2009 announcement on the extension of smoke-free zones to cover recreational areas Penang Botanical Garden Penang National Park
- 19. Actions Taken April 8, 2009 - Circular to all government offices in Penang informing on the smoke-free zones at KOMTAR
- 20. Actions Taken April 15, 2009 - Penang State Assembly Building was declared 100% smoke-free
- 21. Actions Taken In July 2009, Penang State has announced its intention to declare Gurney Drive a smoke-free zone Proposal on penalizing those caught littering in areas not gazetted as smoke-free zone a maximum of RM500 fine The STAR 16 July 2009
- 22. Actions Taken Beginning late July, hypermarkets are required to announce on every Monday at every hour that Smoking is prohibited in this area Hypermarkets which has done so are TESCO and JUSCO in Penang
- 23. Challenges Press statements by one of the state assembly member from the opposition party
- 24. Challenges
- 25. The next move Set up an ADVISORY COUNCIL to the State Exco for effective planning and implementation of Smoke-free Penang Penang Heritage Trust Ministry Of Health Penang State Health Department Lestari Heritage Network Friends of the Botanic Garden Penang State Government Council of Advisers MTUC MCTC DOSH
- 26. How We Go About Doing It? Networking and collaborations with other sectors: 1. Industries: Malayan Sugar Manufacturing (MSM) Sdn Bhd and Petroleum Piping Industries in Prai.
- 27. MSM Sdn Bhd (Prai Sugar)
- 28. How We Go About Doing It? 2. NGO : Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) on Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Project in workplaces in Penang
- 29. 油
- 30. HUMAN HAIR 2.5袖m particle CIGARETTE SMOKE PARTICLE
- 31. INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN 32 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD Global Air Monitoring Study TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to measure PM2.5 On average, smoke-free laws result in an 8-fold reduction in the levels of indoor air pollution Levels of indoor air pollution in 2,531 locations in 32 countries.
- 32. Outdoors on busy Bangkok streets Restaurant with smoking
- 33. Implemented comprehensive smoke free laws.
- 34. US EPA Air Quality Index Air Quality Air Quality Index PM 2.5 ( g/m 3 ) Health Advisory Good 0-50 15 None. Moderate 51-100 16-40 Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101-150 41-65 People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Unhealthy 151-200 66-150 People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Very Unhealthy 201-300 151-250 People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Hazardous 301 251 People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.
- 35. How We Go About Doing It? 3. Youth Empowerment : Capacity Building Workshop in May and June 2009 funded by WHO
- 36. Green Lung Group USM Green Lung Group
- 37. The Way Forward Finally, all these works with the Penang State Government, NGOs, industries, and youth leaders will be consolidated into ONE to meet and sustain a SMOKE-FREE Penang
- 38. Acknowledgement We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to: Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) WHO (Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore) Malaysian Health Promotion Board Unit Kawalan Tembakau, KKM Penang State Government Other organizations, and individuals who have contributed tremendously towards the smooth progress of this project
- 39. Terima Kasih
Editor's Notes
- #3: Smoke Free Penang Project was initiated in March 2008 Formation of a committeeIt began with a series of discussions and meetings among the National Poison Centres (NPC) team comprising staffs headed by the Coordinator of the Clearinghouse for Tob Control (Prof Rahmat Awang) and Dr T. Jayabalan, an associate member of NPC and medical adviser to the MTUC (Penang Branch) Why did we chose the project? And not others? None of the 13 states and 2 federal territories in Malaysia is smoke-free. NPC has been involved with tobacco control issues since 2001 when the Clearinghouse for Tobacco Control (C-TOB) was established. In 2005, NPC established a collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Waterloo, Victoria Cancer Institute and Ministry of Health Malaysia to conduct an International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey involving 19 countries worldwide. ITCw1 - 2005 W2 2006 W3 2008 W 4 2009
- #4: Smoke Free Penang Project was initiated in March 2008 Formation of a committeeIt began with a series of discussions and meetings among the National Poison Centres (NPC) team comprising staffs headed by the Coordinator of the Clearinghouse for Tob Control (Prof Rahmat Awang) and Dr T. Jayabalan, an associate member of NPC and medical adviser to the MTUC (Penang Branch) Why did we chose the project? And not others? None of the 13 states and 2 federal territories in Malaysia is smoke-free. NPC has been involved with tobacco control issues since 2001 when the Clearinghouse for Tobacco Control (C-TOB) was established. In 2005, NPC established a collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Waterloo, Victoria Cancer Institute and Ministry of Health Malaysia to conduct an International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey involving 19 countries worldwide. ITCw1 - 2005 W2 2006 W3 2008 W 4 2009
- #5: Many countries in the world have have taken a bold step and becoming 100% smoke free. Smoke-free is not a new issue. It is the future. We have seen rapid progress in many parts of the globe, but the pace of changes depends mainly on the will of governments in terms of creating legislation, implementing and enforcing policies, and also strong support from the public. Ireland (March 2004) first country in the world to go smoke-free , followed by New Zealand (Dec 2004) Uruguay (March 2008) Scotland (March 2006) Bermuda (April 2006) Also many states and territories in USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia. Even cities like New York!
- #6: In the southeast asia region, we have heard about Davao City in the Philippines, Luang Prabang in Laos and also Singapore.
- #7: The second reason why we chose the project because we have evidence that there are high support for smoke free environment from the public.
- #8: NPC has been involved with tobacco control issues since 2001 when the Clearinghouse for Tobacco Control (C-TOB) was established. In 2005, NPC established a collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Waterloo, Victoria Cancer Institute and Ministry of Health Malaysia to conduct an International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Survey. Besides Malaysia, this survey was also conducted in 19 countries worldwide. ITCw1 - 2005 W2 2006 W3 2008 W 4 2009 From this survey
- #9: The third reason was there is a rising concern on smoking behaviour among schoolchildren. Children as early as 8 years old has started smoking. And what will happen to these children in 20 years time?
- #10: In the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2003, it was found out that an average of 20.2 % of youth smoke
- #11: Malaysia has ratified the FCTC in September 2003. the ratification Malaysia is committed towards implementing at least ------- of the provisions listed in the FCTC. One of them is Article 8 which states that Make Png a showcase for other states to follow/emulate
- #13: Penang now has a new group of political leaders
- #14: Information included in the book: smoke-free initiatives around the world implications of smoke-free initiatives on health, economy and environment Malaysian governments ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Steps to be taken to implement Smoke-free Penang
- #16: We On the first few meetings organised meeting. Commitment of govt
- #17: Presentations by Prof Rahmat at the Caring Society Complex in Penang
- #19: such as the Penang Hill, Penang Botanical Garden, Mengkuang Dam, Teuk Bahang Dam, Hutan Lipur Malindo, Hutan Lipur Bukit Mertajam and other State Parks on Penang Island as well as in Seberang Prai.
- #20: Penang State Secretariat circulated a letter to all government offices in Penang informing on the smoke-free zones at KOMTAR (which housed major government offices) and also asking all Heads of Departments of federal and state agencies to inform all their staffs not to smoke in smoke-free zones.
- #21: This is followed by the initial announcement of Smoke-free Penang made on April 15, 2009 whereby the Penang State Assembly Building was declared 100% smoke-free without designated smoking area and the declaration made Penang the first state to declare the move You may askwhat s the fuss about? Since all government building has been gazetted as smoke free areas. We all know that this may be true on paper, but in terms of enforcement, we know this is lacking.
- #22: In July 2009, the state govt has voice out its intention to declare Gurney Drive (recreational along beach front) which is a popular tourist spot as a smoke-free zone. In addition, the govt also propose thst those caught smoking in smoke-free areas will be fined to a max of RM500 and this amount may be reduced only if these people choose to attend awareness classes and agreed to perform community service e.g like going on streets to educate others
- #23: This shopping complex is designated as completely smoke free and smoking is not permitted in the complex. A walk through survey indicates that there is no drop in business and people are milling around all over in an atmosphere which smells good
- #24: In doing something good, there will always be grumbles and complaints. This is one example from a hard core smoker who has been smoking for more than 30 years.
- #25: Public sector trade union
- #26: Our last meeting The National Poison Centre is given the task of identifying individuals from government and non-government organisations (NGOs) to form an advisory council to the state government to advise on the implementation of the project
- #27: Apart from working with the Penang State Government, establishing networking and collaborations with other sectors are also EQUALLY IMPORTANT!
- #28: Prn s involvement with MSMs Health & Safety Campaign in 2008 In their documented policy, they forbid all vendors, to bring cigarette packs and lighters into their premise. Everything will be left at the gate and the inspection are done by their security personnels. 2009 MSM has gone 100% smoke free. And this would not come true if not for the hard work and perseverance of Dr T. Jayabalan (OSHA expert) Just recently in July 2009, MSM has applied to the Penang State Government to gazette a smoke-free buffer zone within a few metres around their premise
- #29: Public places are further divided into categories, that are, 100% smoke-free, partial smoke-free and non smoke free. This project of 2-years duration is funded by the Malaysian Health Promotion Board. The outcome of this study will be presented to the state government to further support the need to provide a safe and healthy environment to workers in all sectors.
- #30: Sir Richard Doll is a British Medical Doctor who did a study on the relationship of SHS to lung cancer
- #31: Facts about Tobacco Smoke
- #36: The objectives of this workshop to create tobacco control leaders among the undergraduate students from 5 public universities, UKM, USM, UIAM, UiTM, UM
- #37: This group was formed in early May 2009. It started out with about 40 Pharmacy Students and to this date the group has grown in number to ------- During this USM convocation week, this group will put up an exhibition on tobacco control issues and will also recruit new members from other faculties. Will the Green Lung group UKM, UM, UITM, and UIAM stand up. These student volunteer to be here and they actually fund their own accommodation and transport..PLEASE GIVE THEM A thunderous applause!