Smoking will draw stiff fines in historic George Town

In historic George Town, smoking will soon cost you. Starting on 1 January, anyone caught lighting up in the UNESCO heritage zone in Penang, Malaysia could be hit with a RM 10,000 (US$2,278) fine or two years in jail.

Smoking will be banned in historic George Town in Malaysia. Image by Christian Schmitt / CC BY 2.0

The Penang Health Department has already spent months educating the public about the ban in the square-mile centre, but soon it will be enforced, reports The Star Online.

George Town is well-known for its beautiful architecture, a fascinating mix of ancient and colonial architecture. A mix of cultures has led its status as an amazing place to go for food, with unique cuisine, and renowned seafood and fruit.