Over 50 NGOs protest govt plans to allow for smoking areas

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 50 professional health bodies and non-government organisations have voiced their dissatisfaction over the government's plan to allow designated smoking areas outside eateries and in public areas.

The 56 organisations said while they were not against providing a place where smokers can dispose of their cigarette buds, specially designated smoking areas can make it appear that the government is normalising the smoking habit.