Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 4 January, 2019 – In line with the Government of Malaysia’s nationwide
smoking ban at all eateries and restaurants, The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), in
collaboration with partners; the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC), Public Health
Malaysia (PHM), Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3), MedTweetMY, Malaysian Integrated Medical
Professionals Association (MIMPA), Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (IKRAM), Malaysian Green Lung
Association, and the Malaysian Medical Association Public Health Society (MMA PHS) jointly
organised a social media campaign in support of the government’s initiative by promoting smoke-
free eating establishments in Malaysia on Thursday, 3 January 2019 at Putrajaya.

Named #RestartNow, the social media campaign will run for a year and consist of multiple rounds
with specific themes. To participate in the campaign, members of the public will need to take photos
or videos of restaurants that have displayed ‘NO SMOKING’ signs with no ashtrays, and patrons not
smoking in the restaurants. These photos or videos are to be posted publicly on Facebook,
Instagram or Twitter with a short caption and location of restaurant using the hashtag #RestartNow.
Participants will also need to tag the #RestartNow campaign page and five of their friends. Winners
will be continuously announced after the end of each round. Each winning entry will receive a
RM100 cash prize with the photo or video published in social media channels of participating
partners. The objective of this campaign is to positively reinforce the benefits of having smoke-free
eating establishments and provide encouragement and affirmation for Malaysian eating
establishment that have gone smoke-free.

The campaign was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health, Malaysia and
YB Puan Hajah Zuraida Binti Kamaruddin, Minister of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia
from 1pm to 2pm at Putrajaya. Following the launch of the campaign at Restoran Al Nazmaju and
Restoran Darussalam, the ministers distributed flyers on the no-smoking ban to the public and had a
press conference with the media.

About National Cancer Society of Malaysia / Persatuan Kebangsaan Kanser Malaysia (NCSM)
The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is the first not-for-profit cancer organisation in
Malaysia that provides education, care and support services for people affected by cancer. Over the
last 50 years, it provides holistic cancer support to patients and caregivers. NCSM supports patients
in understanding and dealing with cancer in various phases through its five cancer centres – the
Cancer and Health Screening Clinic, Nuclear Medicine Centre, Resource and Wellness Centre, Quit
Smoking Clinic and the Children’s Home of Hope and has branches in six states, i.e. Johor, Negeri
Sembilan, Melaka, Perak, Penang and Sarawak.
For Cancer Information and Support, please call 1-800-08-1000

For media inquiries, please contact:
Niranjni Jayabalan
Manager, PR & Communications
+603 2698 7300 ext 46
[email protected]