CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has called for stronger efforts to tackle emerging nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, as tobacco control measures face new challenges.
He said these products, which were different from conventional cigarettes, were gaining attention and posed a challenge to existing laws and enforcement efforts.
“The new tide will not wait for our laws to catch up,” he said at the welcome dinner of the 10th Asia-Pacific Smoke-Free Meeting at Jen Hotel today.
Chow said Penang’s experience had shown that creating a smoke-free area was only the first step, while maintaining it required years of commitment, strong leadership and community support.
He cited George Town’s Silver Award at the 2026 ASEAN Smoke-Free Awards as recognition of the state’s continued efforts in promoting a smoke-free environment.
He also congratulated the state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, for his leadership in driving the Smoke-Free Penang initiative, also known as Penang Bebas Asap Rokok (PENBAR).
The initiative began in 2012, while the George Town World Heritage Site was designated a smoke-free area in 2015.
“Signs do not keep a city smoke-free. People do,” he said, adding that political commitment, effective local governance, inter-agency cooperation, consistent enforcement and community support were essential to sustaining the initiative.
Chow said Penang was honoured to host delegates from all 11 Asean member states, as well as Palau and Hong Kong, at the meeting.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), the World Health Organisation’s Western Pacific Regional Office, Penang Institute and the Penang Health Department in supporting tobacco control efforts and organising the meeting.
He urged delegates to share their experiences and take home lessons from the meeting to strengthen smoke-free initiatives in their respective communities.
“The smoke-free legacy we build today is the gift we leave for the next generation,” he said.
Among those present were Gooi, state Health Department director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah, SEATCA board chairman Dr Somsak Chunharas, vice-chairman Prof Prakit Vathesatogkit, executive director Dr Ulysses Dorotheo and Northeast District officer Ismasuhaimi Shariff.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan