Jakarta – The Yogyakarta administration is planning to turn the popular tourist destination of Malioboro into a smoke-free zone starting in March.

The head of the public health division of the Yogyakarta Health Agency, Eny Dwiniarsih, said that the government is currently preparing the resources to implement the ban.

"We are planning to introduce Malioboro as a smoke-free zone to the public at the end of March," she said as quoted by kompas.com on Friday.

The administration is to also prepare a designated smoking area. However, Eny added that the smoking area would not be built near the sidewalk since that would be against Yogyakarta's regulations.

The agency has approached stores along Jl. Malioboro and requested they add smoking areas to their places.

"We have to inspect the stores to find out if there is a possibility of building smoking areas there. For example, they could be in their parking lots since they're still close to the pedestrian walks," Eny added.

She also said there is no special requirement for a smoking area's design. However, she added that the area should be placed outdoors and be equipped with ashtrays and garbage cans to prevent smokers from littering.

One of the places on Malioboro that already has a designated smoking area is the Malioboro Mall.

"When we implement the smoke-free area on Malioboro, it is important to note that what we're prohibiting is cigarette promotion and smoking in random areas. We are still allowing cigarette transactions," Eny said. She also added that the agency would prepare a place to put out cigarettes before entering Malioboro.

The head of the Yogyakarta Public Order Agency's control and operational division, Bayu Laksmono, said that Malioboro is categorized as a public place in Yogyakarta Bylaw No. 2/2017 on smoke-free zones.

"Hence, we need a designated smoking space to accommodate smokers so they will refrain from smoking in random places," Bayu said. He added that he would dispatch his personnel to ensure implementation of the ban. "I heard that [road operator] Jasamarga will help, too," Bayu said. (dpk)

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/11/yogyakarta-to-implement-smoking-ban-on-malioboro.html