It appears that a law passed thirteen years ago may now be implemented in some places.

Jamie

++++++++++++++++++

Seven townships picked for tobacco-free zone projects
Eleven Myanmar
5 October 2019

Ministry of Health and Sports will draft a plan for tobacco-free zones at hotels, restaurants and ancient cultural heritage zones in seven regions including Yangon.
Myanmar became a member of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of WHO in 2003. Myanmar is working to reduce tobacco and tobacco-related products consumption after the enactment of the Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law on May 4, 2006.
Under the law, smoking shall be totally banned at hotels, motels, guesthouses and the crowded places. Places will be specially created for smokers.
Dr. Tha Tun Kyaw, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Sports said: “Efforts to ensure the establishment of tobacco-free zones at hotels, motels, restaurants and ancient cultural heritages is one of the important parts for the control against non-infectious diseases. In addition, it should be implemented urgently for the conservation of ancient cultural heritages and development of hotels and tourism industry and keeping abreast of international countries. "
The projects cover Yangon, Bago, Bagan, Pyin Oo Lwin, Pindaya, Nyaungshwe and Kyaikto Townships.
More than seven million population die from tobacco consumption every year in the world countries including Myanmar. Of them, around 900,000 people die of passive smoking, according to the WHO.
According to the WHO’s estimate in 2018, around 65,000 people in Myanmar died of betel chewing, smoking and tobacco consumption. Many people experience untimely deaths due to non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart diseases.
Ministry of Health and Sports is implementing the special plan in cooperation with the Ministry of Education as smoking and betel chewing among youths aged 13 and 15 is relatively high.
According to the 2014 survey, males accounted for 34 per cent of the daily smoking and females, for 7.4 per cent. The 62 per cent of males chewed betel and 24 per cent of females.
According to the 2016 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, males accounted for 26 per cent of youths aged 13 and 15 who chew betel and smoke a cigarette, and females, for four per cent. It is unacceptable from the health and social points of view.

https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/seven-townships-picked-for-tobacco-free-zone-projects