The recognition of Bagan, Myanmar, with the ASE­AN Smoke-Free Award, is a significant achievement. Bagan is the ancient city of Myanmar, and its historical significance is that it is known for its wonderful tem­ples and ancient landscapes. The recent recognition of Bagan with the ASEAN Smoke-Free Award is not just an acknowledgement of the city’s commitment to public health but also a testament to its dedication to preserving its cul­tural heritage.

The ASEAN Smoke-Free Award is a prestigious award giv­en to cities and regions within Southeast Asia that demonstrate outstanding efforts in creating smoke-free environments. This initiative aligns with global public health goals and reflects the grow­ing recognition of the importance of smoke-free spaces in enhancing quality of life. For Bagan, receiving this award is a significant mile­stone, especially given the city’s unique challenges and responsi­bilities in balancing the needs of a growing tourism industry with the preservation of its ancient her­itage.

Bagan, an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myan­mar, was officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2019. Known for its stunning temples, pagodas, stupas, and ru­ins, Bagan showcases magnificent architecture that has dramatically influenced Burmese temple de­sign. The Bagan Archaeological Museum, housing numerous rare Bagan period artefacts, including the original Myazedi inscriptions (the Rosetta stone of Burma) and Anawrahta’s Palace, are must-visit highlights. With a land area of 104 square kilometres and a popula­tion of over 150,000, Bagan offers a rich cultural experience and a glimpse into Myanmar’s glorious past, all while being a smoke-free destination that enchants visitors with its timeless beauty and histor­ical significance.

The recognition of Bagan with the ASEAN Smoke-Free Award also highlights the importance of community involvement in public health initiatives. The success of Bagan’s smoke-free policy is likely due in large part to the support and cooperation of residents, busi­ness owners, and tourists. This collective effort underscores the importance of public awareness and education in the fight against tobacco use, particularly in cultur­ally sensitive areas.

The ASEAN Smoke-Free Award is an initiative by the As­sociation of Southeast Asian Na­tions (ASEAN) to recognize and promote efforts towards creating smoke-free environments in the region. The award is given to cities, municipalities, and other entities that have implemented compre­hensive smoke-free policies and have demonstrated significant progress in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

The ASEAN Smoke-free Award (ASA) is a prestigious rec­ognition celebrating cities, mu­nicipalities, provinces, and states across the ASEAN region that demonstrate exemplary commit­ment to implementing and main­taining smoke-free environments. This award highlights the impor­tance of effective smoke-free pol­icies and their significant impact on public health, environmental quality, and overall well-being. The smoke-free places based on the Policy Guidelines of Estab­lishment of Smoke-free Areas in the Bagan heritage zone: ancient monuments, Government offices, Hotels, NyaungU airport, Pagodas, Playgrounds/parks, Restaurants, Schools, Temples and Workplac­es.

Political Will: The District Governor of Bagan, in coordi­nation with related government departments and social organi­zations, demonstrates unwaver­ing and sustained support for the smoke-free campaign. This commitment is evident through the official letters issued by the District Governor designating gov­ernment offices, schools, hotels, restaurants, and pagodas as 100 per cent smoke-free places.

On 18 September 2023, dur­ing a briefing on the progress of the ‘Smoke-Free Bagan Heritage Places Campaign’ held at the Of­fice of District General Adminis­tration, the District Administra­tor of Bagan NyaungU District pledged to the Director-General of the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, that the Dis­trict Administration Management Committee is firmly committed to establishing Smoke-free Her­itage Places for Bagan, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and the Mandalay Regional Gov­ernment.

2023 accomplishments: From 92 smoke-free places estab­lished on 12 June 2021, additional places were established, bringing the number of smoke-free places to 102 on 1 May 2023. A Supervi­sory Committee Meeting on the Review of the Implementation of the “Smoke-Free Heritage Places, Bagan” project was organized on 19 May 2023. A Review and Advo­cacy Meeting with members of the Supervisory Committee and community representatives on the implementation of “Smoke- Free Heritage Places, Bagan” project was organized on 30 May 2023 together with the PHF team and joined the National Review Workshop on Smoke-Free Places of All States/Regions held at Nay Pyi Taw from 25-26 July 2023, and submitted the plan and implemen­tation of “Smoke-Free Heritage Places, Bagan” project.

Outdoor Advertisements: There are no tobacco advertise­ments in the Smoke-free World Heritage Bagan. Instead, there are prominent ‘No Smoking’ signs, smoke-free posters, billboards, and graphic health warning post­ers in various public places. These visible signs are displayed at pago­das and other public areas to raise public awareness about Smoke-free World Heritage Bagan.

Key Messages- Bagan has smoke-free/tobacco control mes­sages printed on posters and bill­boards placed in strategic areas of the city. In addition, it has a large, visible “SMOKE-FREE BAGAN OUR HERITAGE OUR PRIDE” billboard at the entrance of the city, which is a declaration that Bagan is a smoke-free city.

As part of establishing smoke-free areas in Bagan Ancient Cul­tural Heritage, the Smoke-free Pol­icy Guidelines include a directive to never negotiate with the tobacco industry. On behalf of the Chair­man, the Deputy Director of the District Administration Council in NyaungU District issued this directive on 4 August 2023. Since then, there have been no reports of tobacco industry interference in the implementation and enforce­ment of the smoke-free policy in Bagan.

Government Support- All government offices in Bagan are smoke-free, and there is no oppo­sition from government officials to the vigorous enforcement of the smoke-free law. However, there is no government budget/allocation to support the enforcement of the smoke-free law.

By implementing smoke-free policies in such a historically and culturally significant area, Bagan not only enhances the experience for visitors but also sets a posi­tive example for other regions in ASEAN. The award highlights the city’s efforts to create a cleaner, healthier environment, benefiting both residents and tourists while safeguarding the ancient city’s legacy for future generations. My­anmar team received the ASEAN Smoke-free Award at the National Convention Centre, Vientiane Cap­ital, Laos PDR, on 8 August 2024.

Bagan’s smoke-free initia­tive is particularly commenda­ble because it represents a for­ward-thinking approach to tourism and public health. The ancient city, with its thousands of pagodas, stu­pas, and temples, is a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world. However, this influx of tourists also brings chal­lenges, including the potential deg­radation of the environment and cultural sites. By implementing smoke-free policies, Bagan is not only protecting its physical her­itage from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke but also ensuring the air quality.

The impact of smoke-free pol­icies in Bagan extends beyond just health benefits. It enhances the overall visitor experience, making the site more welcoming and en­joyable. Tourists can now explore the temples and the surrounding areas without the distraction of cigarette smoke, contributing to a more serene and contemplative environment. This aligns with the spiritual and cultural atmosphere that Bagan embodies, allowing vis­itors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and history of the area.

Moreover, Bagan’s achieve­ment serves as an inspiration to other cities and regions within Myanmar and across the ASEAN community. It demonstrates that heritage sites can be effectively managed in a way that prioritiz­es both cultural preservation and public health. Bagan’s success sto­ry is a powerful example of how lo­cal governments and communities can work together to implement policies that have far-reaching positive effects.

In conclusion, the ASEAN Smoke-Free Award presented to Bagan is a well-deserved recog­nition of the city’s efforts to cre­ate a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable environment. It is an achievement that not only bene­fits the people of Bagan but also serves as a model for other herit­age sites in the region. As Bagan continues to preserve its ancient wonders while embracing modern public health practices, it stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when tradition and innovation work hand in hand. The award is a proud moment for Bagan, Myanmar, and the entire ASEAN community, showcasing the importance of smoke-free environments in protecting both people and heritage.