The Health Ministry has decided to enforce 'no smoking' ban at works places and offices in the private sector that are installed with central air-conditioning systems said Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai today.

Liow said the inclusion of smoking ban on private sectors offices and work places would raise the total number of places designated as no smoking areas to 21.

Earlier 19 areas, including hospitals and clinics, public lifts and toilets, air-conditioned restaurants, public transport, government premises, educational institutions, petrol stations, Internet cafes and shopping complexes, were designated as no smoking areas.

"The move will protect non-smokers in offices and work places from becoming 'second hand smokers' and thus prevent them from illnesses or diseases related to smoke," he told reporters after launching the National level World Tobacco-Free Day in Kuala Lumpur today in the presence of World Health Organisation (WHO) representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Dr Corinne Capuano.

The theme for this year's campaign, "Gender and Tobacco: with an emphasis on marketing to women" was emphasized on preventing cigarette companies from targetting women smokers during their marketing campaigns.

Liow said the ministry would also increase enforcement at restricted areas so that public would observe the rules.

He added that since smokers have become comfortable with warning pictures placed on cigarette boxes, the government would change the pictures to be more effective.

"So now, I'll ask my department to conduct a formal study of what kind of picture actually can scare them (smokers)," he said.

- Bernama