3rd October 2015-The initiative of CHBAR (Cameron Highlands Smoke-Free Zone) can be defined as an effort to create ‘smoke-free areas’ in town to protect the public from the dangers of exposure to second hand smoke. In 2012, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, towards achieving the goal of Article 8, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), WHO which was signed by Malaysia in the year 2005, proposed that every state set up their Smoke Free Zone. In Pahang, the State Health Department chose Cameron Highlands as a pilot project for this. The reason was because Cameron Highlands is one of the top tourist destinations for the country and a smoke free zone will provide a clean, fresh and healthy environment for residents and visitors alike.
The objectives of this programme, CHBAR are as follows:
- To protect the rights of the majority of non-smokers from the threat of air pollution produced from cigarette smoke.
- To encourage ‘anti-smoking’ as a healthy and positive way of life amongst the citizens of Cameron Highlands.
- To encourage smokers to stop smoking to alleviate the air quality and health of the people.
- To aid in the effort of the Ministry of Health Malaysia in promoting and advocating the ‘anti-smoking’ status in order to protect the general health of the people.
- To aid in the effort of Pahang’s government as a whole especially in the district of Cameron Highlands to ensure that the tourists’ destinations are ‘smoke-free’ in conjunction towards creating a ‘Medical Tourism’ destination in the near future.
The organising committee of CHBAR will include the District Officer of Cameron Highlands, the Town council secretary, the Health Officer, the Assistant District Officer, the Hospital Director, the Youth and Sports Officer, the information Department, Legal officers from the Cameron Highlands District Office and Town Council, Private clinics, Private pharmacies, local NGO REACH, Women Institution WI and Lions Club.
CHBAR covers an expanse of sheltered areas and their surroundings which are located in Tanah Rata namely Taman Pertabalan, Taman Poket and Taman Bunga Raya all the way to Marigold Square excluding the ‘Rumah Persendirian’. Target groups include restaurant and stall owners, hotels, and other business premises located in CHBAR, as well as the citizens of Cameron Highlands.
Strategies planned are
- Promotion and Advocation
i.This would include promotion through the main stream media, public announcements, radio, print and nonprint publications,billboards, banners, buntings and CHBAR website.
ii.Promotion through agencies ie government agencies, non governmental organisations, local leaders, corporate bodies and private companies, owners of hotels and business premises.
iii.To promote a non-smoking culture by providing a conducive environment such as proper signages in all premises in the smoke free zone, billboards, support groups, health campaigns, activities such as musicals, dramas, lifestyle coaching and via the social media.
- Networking and Capacity Building between government and non governmental agencies
- Smoking Cessation Services
- Laws and Enforcement
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Reach has been appointed as one of the partner NGOs and agents for promotion to assist in the implementation of this programme which will be over a span of 3 years. REACH will play the role of a secretary and administrator by coordinating the implementation of programmes and activities, and gathering reports of activities from the committee of CHBAR and the support groups of CHBAR.
In a nutshell, REACH acts as a support group and platform to spread information and make CHBAR more well-known amongst the citizens of Cameron Highlands. Our purpose is to educate and motivate the people to practice a non-smoking culture so to improve the air quality and general health. We hope to see a ‘Smoke-Free Cameron Highlands’ wherein citizens and tourists alike will be able to enjoy the advantages of fresh, clean air and a well-preserved environment.
co written by Lai Shen-Ly