Sign of caution: Visitors lining up behind a no-smoking sign on display outside a popular food court along Lebuh Pantai, in George Town, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The familiar in-flight warning that drug offences carry serious consequences may soon be accompanied by another reminder – that smoking is prohibited within the George Town World Heritage Site.
Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said the state is working with airlines and cruise operators to introduce a pre-arrival announcement that smoking is not allowed within the 259ha heritage site.
With Penang expecting an influx of visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), he said many tourists remain unaware that the smoking ban has been in force since 2016, with some locals continuing to flout the rule.
“Discussions are under way with airline and cruise operators as part of preparations for VM2026.
“We want to ensure domestic and foreign tourists are aware of the ban, and do not unknowingly light up in the area.
“We hope everyone, including fellow Penangites, can adhere to the smoking ban,” he said.
On July 4, 2015, all buildings and public spaces within the heritage site in George Town, except residential premises, were gazetted as no-smoking zones, with heightened enforcement beginning yesterday.
From 2023 to Dec 23, 2025, a total of 304 compounds were issued to smokers within the heritage zone.
Of the 74 compounds issued in 2023, 53 were given to Penangites, 12 to domestic tourists, and nine to foreign tourists.
A total of 124 and 106 compounds were issued in 2024 and 2025 respectively, all of which involved only Penangites.
Individuals caught face an on-the-spot compound of RM250. If the offence is taken to court, penalties can increase significantly, with fines of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years.
Gooi said continuous monitoring and enforcement by the state Health Department will be carried out to ensure the smoking ban is taken seriously.
He added that the number of no-smoking notices displayed across the area has also been increased, in line with the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“We will step up monitoring, especially within the World Heritage Site.
“We will also put up banners at strategic locations to remind the public about the smoking ban,” he said.
On the 30 yellow semi-circle smoking corners previously designated within the heritage zone, Gooi said these had been phased out by Act 852.
“The entire George Town Unesco World Heritage Site is now designated as a non-smoking area under Act 852.
Key aspects of Act 852, which came into effect on Oct 1, 2024, include prohibiting sales to minors, banning display of products at retail points of sale, restricting advertising and promotions, and expanding smoke-free zones.
However, manufacturers and importers were given a year to update packaging and labelling of their products to comply with the regulations, with the grace period ended last October.
Consumers Association of Penang senior education officer NV Subbarow urged a redesign of warning signs, saying many were not visible from a distance.
“The words are small and can easily be overlooked. More signage should be placed within the heritage site.
“Based on our surveys, many smokers still do not observe the ban. Foreign workers at local shops can still be seen smoking outside their premises,” said Subbarow, who also noted that cigarettes continue to be sold within the zone.
“Foreigners continue to smoke there because there are very few signboards and cigarettes are still being sold.
“We have seen foreign tourists disembarking from cruise ships and smoking along the streets because they are unaware of the ban,” he said, adding that visitors should be informed of the restriction before cruise ships dock.
He also urged the state Health Department to deploy a mobile van to patrol the heritage zone to inform the public of the ban.
“Enforcement should be carried out on the spot through the issuance of summonses.
“The Health Department could also organise regular activities, such as monthly walks around the World Heritage Site, to raise public awareness,” he added.
