Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) upholds a robust smoke-free policy, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a healthy, clean, and sustainable environment for students, staff, and visitors. Effective since January 1, 2022, the No Smoking Guidelines Policy aligns with Malaysia’s national health regulations, strictly prohibiting smoking across all university facilities, including educational buildings, hospital areas, public spaces, residential buildings, and indoor areas such as offices, classrooms, libraries, and dormitories. This restriction also extends to outdoor spaces like gardens, walkways, and parking lots, with designated smoking areas provided only if necessary. This initiative empowers the UKM community to embrace a smoke-free culture, protect public health, and reduce environmental pollution, setting a high standard for well-being and environmental responsibility within higher education institutions.

The key points of the UKM policy are:

1. Objective:
   • The guideline aims to enforce a smoking ban on campus and provide clear regulations, enforcement measures, and penalties for violations.
2. Main Goals:
   • Empowering UKM members to adopt a non-smoking culture.
   • Raising awareness about the dangers of smoking.
   • Implementing regulations regarding tobacco control on campus.
3. Scope of the Smoking Ban:
   • Smoking is prohibited in all areas within the UKM campus, including educational institutions, healthcare facilities (such as hospitals), and other designated public spaces.
4. Definitions:
   • Tobacco products include cigarettes, shisha, pipes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, and any tobacco-based products intended for human use.
   • The campus includes all UKM properties, such as teaching hospitals and residential areas.
5. Enforcement:
   • Authorized personnel, including security officers, health officers, and residential college officers, are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the smoking ban.
   • Violators will be issued notices and fines, and repeat offenders may face disciplinary actions.
6. Penalties:
   • For Staff: Fines start at RM250 for the first offense, RM500 for the second, and possible disciplinary action for the third violation.
   • For Students: Fines start at RM100 for the first offense, RM200 for the second, and disciplinary action for subsequent violations.
   • For Contract Workers and the Public: Fines of RM250 to RM500, with possible contract termination for workers and removal from campus for the public.
7. Smoking Cessation Support:
   • UKM provides Smoking Cessation Clinics at its University Health Centre (PKU) and Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) to support individuals who wish to quit smoking.

• Policy Created: 2022
• Policy Reviewed: 2025

To support this initiative, the University Health Centre and Hospital Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) offers a Quit Smoking Clinic service, available free of charge to all UKM residents, including staff and students. The clinic provides personalized support and resources to help individuals quit smoking, contributing to a healthier campus environment. This smoke-free policy and the accompanying support services not only protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke but also help smokers adopt healthier lifestyles, thereby improving the overall well-being of the university community.

Link : hctm.ukm.my/keluarga/klinik-berhenti-merokok | www.ukm.my/pusatkesihatan/klinik-berhenti-merokok

Efforts to raise awareness and ensure compliance with the smoke-free policy are supported through campaigns and briefings on smoking prohibition. The following are several examples of smoking awareness programmes conducted in 2025 to educate the university community on the harmful effects of smoking, promote healthier lifestyles, and reinforce compliance with the smoke-free campus policy.

1. Smoke-Free Community Initiative

On 25 May 2025, the Public Health Unit of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), UKM, conducted the Smoke-Free Community Initiative (Inisiatif Komuniti Bebas Asap Rokok – IKBAR) at PPR Hiliran Ampang in collaboration with local community organisations. The initiative promoted the concept of a smoke-free community by providing education on the harmful effects of smoking and encouraging residents to adopt healthier, smoke-free lifestyles. Activities included a smoking cessation exhibition, health education exhibitions, health screenings and recreational activities. Through this community-based programme, UKM extended its tobacco-control and health-promotion efforts beyond the campus, raising public awareness of smoking-related health risks and supporting the creation of healthier environments free from tobacco smoke.
Source: https://hctm.ukm.my/uka/news/program-jantung-sihat-denggi-sifar/

2. High-Risk Behaviour Awareness Programme UKM 2025

On 20 December 2025, the UKM University Health Centre organised the High-Risk Behaviour Awareness Programme UKM 2025 at PUSANIKA, UKM Bangi. The programme specifically addressed unhealthy and high-risk behaviours including cigarette smoking and vaping, alongside drug abuse, unsafe sexual behaviour and bullying. Its objectives included increasing awareness of these health risks and preventing unhealthy behaviours within the campus community. Activities included exhibitions, a 3-km Fun Walk, Explorace, health-related engagement with external agencies and other awareness activities. Importantly, participation was open to both UKM and non-UKM communities, extending the programme’s preventive health messages to the wider public.
Source: https://portalwarga.ukm.my/view-buletin-card?id=50239

UKM’s initiatives in health and well-being demonstrate a strong commitment to achieving SDG 3. By providing shared sports facilities, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, robust mental health support, and enforcing a smoke-free policy, UKM is fostering a healthier, more supportive environment for its students, staff, and the broader community. These efforts are integral to ensuring that everyone on campus has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.