PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is planning to make universities smoke-free zones within the year.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the move would be the next move, following the ban on smoking in Parliament since Oct 15 last year, and at all eateries beginning Jan 1.
“We have done it with Parliament and eateries, and now perhaps we will extend it to universities. We are planning to gazette it at all universities, be it public or private universities, probably within this year,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) Industry Fact Book: 2018 Edition.
The fact book was launched by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Present was PhAMA president Chin Keat Chyuan.
On Oct 15, smoking inside the Parliament building was prohibited, with all smoking corners being closed. Smokers are not allowed to light up only outside the building.
At the beginning of this year, a smoking ban took effect at all eateries, with smokers having to be at least 3m away from the premises before they can light up.