Labuan smoking ban extended to Garden, Park
Published on: Sunday, June 18, 2017
Labuan: The smoke-free environment policy has been expanded to the Botanical Garden and Bird Park here, to protect non-smokers from second hand tobacco smoke. All forms of tobacco smoking, including cigarettes, cigars, water pipe tobacco smoking and electronic cigarettes (Vape) are prohibited at the two parks."This is in accordance with Article 8 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)," said Labuan Health Department Director Dr Ismuni Bohari.
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He said smokers found guilty may be fined up to RM10,000 or face imprisonment for two years.As of April this year, he said 92 notices were issued involving RM7,200 in compounds.Meanwhile, the number of reported dengue cases in the duty-free-island here rose to 19 since January this year compared to only four cases the same period of last year, which is more than a four-fold (375 per cent) increase.However, no death was reported over the years.
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At least five cases were reported last week involving highly populated localities, Taman Perumahan Mutiara, Sg Bedaun (two cases) and Kiansam (three cases).Dr Ismuni said a 65-year-old from Taman Perumahan Mutiara was still being warded after being diagnosed with dengue fever.
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"We are monitoring the situation closely and will carry out works to eliminate Aedes breeding grounds in the affected area," he said at the Nur Ramadan New Breath and Smile and Shine programme, here, Saturday.He urged all quarters, including homeowners, to play their role in preventing a possible rise in dengue cases by eliminating mosquito-breeding sites in their locality to curb the dengue threat."The dengue cases will rise based on several factors, including the weather and serotype shift which can trigger dengue outbreak."Therefore, it must be stressed that all quarters should eliminate mosquito-breeding grounds to prevent dengue fever outbreak," he said, describing the upward trend as rather alarming and required attention and action from all parties.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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