A sign banning smoking is displayed at Shwedagon Pagoda. Pic: AFP/Khin Maung Win

THE Shwedagon Pagoda Trusteeship Committee has declared the platform of Shwedagon Pagoda a tobacco and betel-free zone, effective July 29.

U Win Kyaing, the secretary of the committee, said smoking and chewing betel were banned on the platform because such behaviour was “disrespectful” to the pagoda and to the sacred objects it holds.

“Smoking can offend other pilgrims and betel spit can spoil the cleanliness of the pagoda. As a place that is visited by many foreigners, we need to develop a good reputation by adhering to international standards,” he said.

The committee has publicised the ban by informing the local media, making announcements over loudspeakers at the pagoda and posting notices on the pagoda platform.

U Win Kyaing said the committee chose to put the ban into effect on the full moon day of Waso – which commemorates the day on which the Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment – for an auspicious start.

“We haven’t stipulated any punishments yet for violators. If we see someone smoking or chewing betel, we simply ask them not to do it," he said.

"So far no one has defied the ban,” he said.

He said no designated smoking areas had been set up on the platform, so anyone who wanted to smoke must go to one of the pagoda’s stairways or to an area outside the pagoda grounds.

Under a tobacco control law enacted in May 2006, the government has banned smoking in a wide range of public areas such as schools, university campuses, sport stadiums and markets.