More smoke-free zones on the cards.

Monday, September 7, 2015

By Olivia Miwil

olivia@nst.com.my

Pictures by Malai Rosmah Tuah

KOTA KINABALU: The state Health Department will designate more no-smoking zones to protect public from second-hand smoke.

Menggatal Health Clinic Family Medicine specialist Dr Mohd Nazri Mohd Daud said Sabah had the highest incidence of lungs cancer in the country.

“Those who develop lung cancer are either active or passive smokers. Gazetting more no-smoking zones can reduce deaths associated with cancer,” he said after giving a talk on cancer prevention at the Menggatal community hall near here yesterday.

Public areas like airports, health facilities, recreational areas, and government and religious buildings have been gazetted as no-smoking zones under the Tobacco Product Regulations 2004. 

The state Health Department is targeting 25 more types of premises, including restaurants and hotels. 

  

Dr Nazri said according to 2010 statistics from the National Cancer Registry, 12 per cent of deaths at government hospitals were cancer-related. 

“People should go for screening instead of waiting for early symptoms of particular cancers to emerge,” he said, adding existing symptoms could mean the cancer had progressed.

He said among the simple screening tests available at the government health facilities include Pap smear for cervical cancer, mammography and breast self-examination for breast cancers, stool test for colorectal cancer, and Prostate-Specific Antigen test for prostate cancer.

The one-day awareness programme also provided free screenings on blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol level as well as tuberculosis.

Present was City Hall Director General Operations Joannes Solidau.