THE familiar in-flight warning that drug offences carry severe penalties may soon be accompanied by another reminder for travellers bound for Penang – that smoking is prohibited throughout the George Town World Heritage Site.
State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said Penang is engaging airlines and cruise operators to introduce pre-arrival announcements informing passengers that smoking is not allowed within the 259-hectare UNESCO-listed heritage zone.
With a significant influx of visitors expected during Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), Gooi said many tourists remain unaware that the smoking ban has been in force since 2016, while some locals continue to disregard 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,” The Star reported him saying.
All buildings and public spaces within the George Town World Heritage Site, excluding residential premises, were gazetted as no-smoking zones on July 4, 2015, with stricter enforcement commencing yesterday.
From 2023 to Dec 23, 2025, a total of 304 compounds were issued to individuals caught smoking within the heritage zone. Of the 74 compounds issued in 2023, 53 were issued to Penang residents, 12 to domestic tourists and nine to foreign tourists. In 2024 and 2025, 124 and 106 compounds respectively were issued, all involving Penangites.
Offenders face an on-the-spot compound of RM250, while cases taken to court carry penalties of up to RM10,000 in fines or imprisonment of up to two years.
Gooi said continuous monitoring and enforcement by the state Health Department would be intensified to ensure the smoking ban is taken seriously. He added that more no-smoking notices have been installed across the area 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.
Addressing the 30 yellow semi-circle smoking corners previously designated within the heritage zone, Gooi said these had been phased out following the implementation of Act 852.
“The entire George Town Unesco World Heritage Site is now designated as a non-smoking area under Act 852.”
Act 852, which came into force on Oct 1, 2024, prohibits the sale of smoking products to minors, bans product displays at retail points of sale, restricts advertising and promotions, and expands smoke-free zones. Manufacturers and importers were granted a one-year grace period to update product packaging and labelling, which ended last October.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Penang senior education officer NV Subbarow called for a redesign and increase in warning signage, saying many existing signs are 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,” he said, adding 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, urging that visitors be informed of the restriction before cruise ships dock.
Subbarow also called on the state Health Department to deploy a mobile van to patrol the heritage zone and directly inform the public.
“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. - January 2, 2025
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