KOTA KINABALU: Nine places here that have designated smoke-free zones have received recognition for their effort and it is hoped that more private sector premises will join them soon.
They are Perdana Park in Tanjung Aru, One Hotel Sadong Jaya, Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu, Seventh Day Adventist Church Kota Kinabalu, Hotel Sixty 3, Likas Square Apartment Hotel, Nuluhon Garden Resort, The Crowne Borneo Motel 23, and Grandis Hotels and Resorts Sdn Bhd.
Kota Kinabalu health officer Dr Jiloris Dony revealed this during the presentation of a Blue Ribbon plaque to Grandis Hotels and Resorts today.
He said the Health Ministry was encouraging businesses to introduce non-smoking zones on their premises to create a healthier environment for employees and customers.
The Blue Ribbon campaign was introduced by the World Health Organisation to recognise individuals, groups, institutions, communities and government agencies that have contributed to the creation of smoke-free environments, and to encourage more premises owners to do so.
“This is a way to encourage premises to be free from smoke and we hope more stakeholders will follow suit,” Dr Jiloris said, adding that the nine other premises had already received Blue Ribbon plaques.
“It is without doubt that there are patrons who dislike or are allergic to cigarette smoke, which is harmful to their health and can cause cancer.”
The National Health and Morbidity Study, which was carried out in 2015, indicates that about 24 per cent of the country’s population and 28.4 per cent of Sabah’s population are smokers.
Through the National Strategic Tobacco Plan, the ministry aims to reduce the prevalence of smoking to 15 per cent or less by 2025.