THE Seminar on Smokefree Ho-tels, Restaurants and Heritage Places was held at Mingalarthiri Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Permanent Secretary Dr Thar Tun Kyaw spoke at the sem-inar. He said Myanmar joined WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2003 and enacted The Control of Smok-ing and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law on 4 May 2006. He said smoking should be strictly prohibited in crowded places.

Dr Thar Tun Kyaw said designating smoke free areas creates a healthier environment, makes travel to that particular destination more attractive, and reduces damage to heritage sites and the risk of stray fires.

He said current strategic plans are vying to incorporate Yangon, Bago, Bagan, PyinOoL-win, Pindaya, Nyaungshwe and Kyaikhto with smoke-free areas.

Next, Dr Dinesh Jeyaku-maren, WHO department rep-resentative, and Dr Domillyn of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance delivered separate ad-dresses.

This was followed by expla-nations on state and regional implementations for smoke-free areas and discussions on future action plans. The meeting contin-ues today.—MNA

(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)