YOURSAY 'You just cannot please everyone. If those who are not happy threaten to vote for BN, then it's their own foolishness.'

Penang gov't prepared to risk votes going up in smoke

Longjaafar: I say go ahead with the policy to create a smoke-free zone in George Town's United Nations-declared heritage site. You will lose some votes but you will gain more.

Touche: What a brave decision, bravo. I fully endorse this policy. Just ignore those selfish and ignorant operators. They have done the same (banned smoking) in New York, United Kingdom and Scotland. So what is so special with Penang?

Homesick: You just cannot please everyone. If those that aren't happy with this smoke-free policy and threaten to vote for BN, then it's their own foolishness. Besides I think they are only a small group of people.

In the UK, it is illegal to smoke in enclosed public places. Even the busiest airport, i.e. Heathrow, does not provide a designated area for smoking within the building but only designated an area outside the building for smokers.

Before the implementation of this law in UK, there were a lot of disgruntled people, just like now in Malaysia, but this will soon blow over and people just accept it and get on with life.

JustAMalaysian: In Hat Yai, they not only respect the smoke-free bylaw in entertainment outlets but also they abide to the rule of no liquor sale during certain period of the day.

If Malaysians who visit Hat Yai can follow those rules, I do not see why it would be difficult to implement this simple no-smoking bylaw when it is passed by the state assembly.

Sodom Me Sodom You: It's a good campaign but it needs to be strengthened with the continuous education and rehabilitation of smokers. It is a difficult addiction but one that is definitely detrimental to health.

MinahBulat: Why is this not a popular policy? Looking at the statistics - 90 percent of Penang people are in favour of a no-smoking zone. What excuse is this bus driver giving: smoking to stay awake? You trust such bus drivers?

As for proprietor Shirley Abdullah of China House, is it not ‘haram' to smoke? But I feel smokers have rights, so why not have a smoking chamber with no exhaust fan, like they have in the airports.

I am sure that is a fair alternative and they can happily puff to their heart's content.

Sinner: Lee of Penang and Seberang Perai Coffeeshop Owners' Association, if it's difficult to tell your customers not to smoke, then this law will help you. You will be able to tell them that the law forbids smoking.

Wildboar: To all smokers/operators who still do not support this policy - look on the bright side. You have a healthy place to bring your children or grandchildren for a great meal without having to compromise their health.

Sinner: Letting your customers light up in your premises may earn you more money, but it is putting the lives of your staff, your non-smoking customers and yourself in danger.

You may not live long enough to enjoy the extra tobacco-stained money that you stand to earn, Shirley et al.

Basically: These excuses given by the respondents are silly, defensive but understandable. But each one of their protests will get a hundred approvals from long-suffering non-smokers.

The key is to educate smokers to be considerate and why their actions are harmful to others, hence the need for these laws. Ignorance and personal urges cannot be an excuse to continue habits that threaten the health of others.

FairGame: Good policies are meant for the enhancement and betterment of the rakyat in the long term. Populist policies are meant to gain support, even though the policies are detrimental in the long term.

The rakyat are wise and well-informed to know the difference between the two.

Rambo1: I am a smoker and I support the no-smoking policy.

Dr Suresh Kumar: This is a bold move to implement a policy that was long overdue. Why restrict the ban to a particular area?

The Penang government should extend its tentacles to cover all public areas, particularly places where families and children frequent, such as restaurants, parks, all covered premises, including train stations, playgrounds, fields, etc.

Most Malaysians are unaware that smoking-related diseases like lung cancer, oral cancer, gum diseases, cardiac problems, impotency, etc, are costing the public health system billions of ringgit a year.

It's heartening to see a couple of self-confessed fellow smokers in this Malaysiakini forum are favourable to this policy instead of defending their right to smoke in public areas.

Wira: This is similar to the ‘no plastic bag' policy. When this was first proposed, many commercial establishments were against it, citing potential loss of business.

Today, those same establishments are reaping the benefits of the policy as a clean Penang becomes the darling of tourists and they in turn bring more ringgit to the state.

I expect the state government to lead with what is right and wise according to world standards. If we still yearn for stupidity, lack of vision and poor leadership, we can always bring back BN.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.