Dr Than Sein, Public Health Foundation chair, said, “We will designate smoke-free areas in public locations to prevent youths from smoking and to protect from diseases that are caused by passive smoking.”

The six regions and states that will have smoke-free zones are Mandalay, Yangon, Sagaing, Magwe regions, Kayin and Shan states.

The public areas to be designated smoke-free zones are hospitals, schools and pagodas in the townships from the six regions and states,

Dr Than Sein said the plan will be implemented with the cooperation of the regional and state governments.

U Naing Win Tun, a local of Mandalay and a smoker, said, “The plan of designating non-smoking areas is a way of protecting the health of children, elderly and women. That is why it is very good. But, there should be a plan for smokers and smoking zones should be designated for them.”

Currently, workshops are being held in the Mandalay and Magwe regions by the Public Health Foundation about designating smoke-free areas,

Discussions are also being held on designating smoke-free areas at three famous pagodas in Mandalay city, according to Dr Than Sein.

Translation by Win Thaw Tar