Malaysia was one of nine ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries that pledged to make their public spaces 100 per cent smoke free at a regional workshop against smoking on 5 December.

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam joined in the pledge made at the workshop entitled 'Implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 8 – Towards a 100 per cent smoke-free environment' and organised by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca).
Article 8 requires those who have ratified the FCTC to implement effective measures to protect non-smokers from tobacco smoke in public places, including the workplace, public transport and indoor public spaces. (pi)