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Luang Prabang has become the first World Heritage city to ban
smoking in public places.
Eye-catching red and white posters, stickers and mobiles
carrying anti-smoking messages both in English and Lao have been
put up in every corner, from tourist attractions like the historic
Xiangthong temple to accommodation and retail shops of this serene
city on the Mekong River in Laos since May 30, World No Tobacco
Day.
Apart from health reasons, Luang Prabang residents believe the
smoke-free policy will enable them to better conserve the city's
historic sites, such as the huen moradok, or colonial-style
mansions that were built when the country was still under French
rule.
Scientific studies have found that cigarettes appear to pose as
much danger to the historic landmarks as human health.
The city's residents say some of the ancient buildings have
been reduced to ashes over the past few years in cigarette-related
fire accidents caused by the carelessness of smokers, who had
dropped burning cigarette butts on the floor and ignited the
fires.
"Second-hand cigarette smoke is also harmful to the health of
non-smokers. We want to make sure no more damage is done to the
beautiful and ancient buildings that are still standing and housing
rich architectural work out of someone's carelessness, as that
could see Luang Prabang being stripped of its World Heritage status
one day," said Bungon Ritthiphakdee, coordinator of Southeast Asian
Tobacco Alliance, a non-governmental organisation advocating the
anti-smoking project.
The organisation played an active role in drafting the "Tobacco
Free Luang Prabang" regulation which prohibits smoking in both
indoor and outdoor areas of tourist spots and temples, state
offices and public transport.
Any hotels, guesthouses and restaurants which still permit
smoking are now required to arrange designated smoking areas for
their guests.
According to a public opinion poll conducted by the Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), 96.7% of respondents,
including local residents and business operators, agreed with the
smoke-free campaign.
About 59% of restaurant operators also agreed to give the
campaign a boost.
"In general, most locals dislike cigarettes and second-hand
smoke. But they think it is impolite to ask their guests to refrain
from smoking. So having this regulation in place helps them
greatly. It is good for their health, business and the World
Heritage city at the same time," said Maniphan Vongphosy,
researcher at ADRA. Although the Lao government has had the
smoke-free policy in place since 2000, which bans smoking in
schools, hospitals, government offices, restaurants and other
public places, enforcement was weak.
In order to raise public awareness, anti-smoking activists and
the government co-hosted a mini-marathon to campaign for
tobacco-free zones on May 30. More than 600 officials, students and
local people took part in it. Daeng Boonkamtip, a staff member of
the Le Tam Tam guesthouse, said the place has always allowed its
guests to smoke since it opened five years ago.
"But now the time has arrived to ban it. The strong smell of
second-hand smoke is unacceptable, especially in a small place like
ours. Cigarette smoke makes it difficult to breathe during work.
More importantly, it drives away non-smoking guests," said Daeng,
who also attended the campaign activities on May 30.
Kongchan Kommavong, vice-chairman of the Luang Prabang Tobacco
Control Task Force, said he believed the regulation would help
protect the health of residents in the province, while he also
believes that the smoke-free policy benefits the tourism industry
in Luang Prabang.
"From now on, our heritage city will be smoke-free. We want to
set a good example for other World Heritage sites, and to
demonstrate that it is our policy to protect the health not only of
the people of Laos, but also of visitors," he said.
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