TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE PENANG

Haslina HashimClearinghouse For Tobacco Control

National Poison CentreUniversiti Sains Malaysia11800 Penang, Malaysia

Third Malaysian Conference on Tobacco Control (MCTC 2009)

8 – 9 August 2009

INTRODUCTION

Initiated in March 2008 Adopted a number of strategies

6. Garner support from relevant stakeholders7. Educate and create awareness8. Research projects9. Support industries

SMOKE-FREE PENANG PROJECT

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

Why Smoke-free Penang?

Smoke-free in other countries

Why Smoke-free Penang?

Davao City (Mindanao), Philipines

Luang Prabang, Laos PDR

Smoke-free in Southeast Asia

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

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?

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

GYTS, WHO (2003)Average: 20.2% of smokers- 36.3% (males) - 4.2 % (females)

YOUTH SMOKERS - MALAYSIA

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

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

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

How We Go About Doing It?

Gather all the facts about smoke-free issues and present them in a book :

Towards Smoke free Penang

Other References

Cries of the Heart

Global Voice for a Smoke-free World

Article 8: Protection from Exposure to SecondhandTobacco Smoke

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)

How We Go About Doing It?

12 March 2009 – Briefing to the Speaker, all State Assembly Members, NGO’s 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

Actions Taken

In April 2009, the Penang government beefedup enforcement against smokers in public places

Actions Taken

April 2009 – announcement on the extension of smoke-free zones to cover recreational areas

Penang Botanical Garden Penang National Park

Actions Taken

April 8, 2009 - Circular to all government offices in Penang informing on the smoke-free zones at KOMTAR

Actions Taken

April 15, 2009 - Penang State Assembly Building was declared 100% smoke-free

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

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

Challenges

Press statements by one of the state assembly member from the opposition party

Challenges

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 DepartmentLestari Heritage Network

Friends of the Botanic Garden

Penang State Government Council of Advisers

MTUC

MCTC

DOSH

How We Go About Doing It?

Networking and collaborations with othersectors:1. Industries: Malayan Sugar Manufacturing

(MSM) Sdn Bhd and Petroleum Piping Industries in Prai.

MSM Sdn Bhd (Prai Sugar)

How We Go About Doing It?

2. NGO: Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) on Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Project in workplaces in Penang

HUMAN HAIR

2.5µm particle

CIGARETTE SMOKE PARTICLE

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN 32 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

182

23

0

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60

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120

140

160

180

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Smoking Smoke-free

PM

2.5 in

mic

rogr

ams

per c

ubic

met

er

Levels of indoor air pollution in 2,531 locations in 32 countries.

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

0

50

100

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250

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280

Elapsed time in minutes

PM

2.5 le

vel i

n m

icro

gram

s pe

r cu

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erOutdoors on busy Bangkok streets

Restaurant with smoking

☛ Implemented comprehensive smoke free laws.

US EPA Air Quality Index

Air Quality Air Quality Index PM2.5 (µg/m3) Health Advisory

Good 0-50 ≤15 None.

Moderate 51-100 16-40 Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Unhealthy forSensitive 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.

VeryUnhealthy

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.

How We Go About Doing It?

3. Youth Empowerment: Capacity Building Workshop in May and June 2009 – funded by WHO

Green Lung Group

USM Green Lung Group

The Way Forward…

Finally, all these works with the Penang State Government, NGO’s, industries, and youth leaders will be consolidated into ONE to meet and sustain a SMOKE-FREE Penang

Acknowledgement

We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitudeto:3. Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA)4. WHO (Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore)5. Malaysian Health Promotion Board6. Unit Kawalan Tembakau, KKM7. Penang State Government8. Other organizations, and9. individuals who have contributed tremendously

towards the smooth progress of this project

Terima Kasih