In Segamat, a 30-year-old man swallowed a burning cigarette butt to avoid getting fined by health authorities for taking a puff in a non-smoking area. He stuffed it in his mouth in an act of impulse when he found out that the district health officers were conducting random spot checks around the area. However, the man ended up vomiting the cigarette butt because he could not tolerate the heat of the burning tobacco inside his mouth. Segamat district health office senior officer Dr Mokhtar Ahmad said that many stubborn smokers who were caught violating the non-smoking regulation had often gave excuses such as being illiterate or unaware it was a smoke-free zone.
> Langkawi risks losing its 'Global Geopark' status
The Tourism and Culture Ministry has voiced concern that Langkawi is facing the risk of losing its Global Geopark status accorded by the United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) since 2007. Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz was disappointed that there seems to be lack of communication and efforts between tour agencies and relevant authorities on how to preserve the geo-heritage site. Nazri said Langkawi has 90 days left before it sends a detailed report to Unesco, which will be reviewing the island's geopark status. "If the status is withdrawn, the number of tourists going to Langkawi will definitely decrease," he said. Previously, it was reported that Unesco has given Langkawi a yellow-card warning for failing to meet several criteria.
