Tobacco Act offenders become l
-smoking in prohibited place attracts fine of $1
The Tobacco Control Act 2016 which was recently signed into law by President David Granger has 46 Clauses at least 26 of which detail actions which constitute offences.
These offences are detailed in 6 of the 11 parts and offenders become culpable from May 22, 2018. That date is nine months from August 22, 2017 the day on which President Granger signed the Act into law.
Part V provides for protection from second hand smoke by making it an offence to smoke in any place where smoking is prohibited.
A person committing this act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000 on the first offence and $30,000 for any second or subsequent offence.
Both the Act itself and its first schedule provide a list of prohibited places which section 15 (1) (b) of the Act notes includes any part of any indoor public place, including but not limited to those listed in the first schedule.
The list in the first schedule serves as an illustration and specifies health care institutions and facilities, educational institutions of all levels, child care facilities, and retail establishments, including stalls, stores, shops and shopping malls.
Also included are hotels and other places of lodging, restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and other eating or drinking establishments, gaming machine venues and casinos, entertainment facilities including clubs, cinemas, concert halls, theatres, game arcades, pool and bingo halls.
Publicly owned facilities rented out for events are also prohibited as are any other indoor premises accessible to the public and any indoor workplace.
The Act further specifies at Clause 15 (1) means of public transport “whether or not it is carrying a member of the public” as well as any means of transport at the time transporting a minor.
Outdoor
Several outdoor places are also subject to prohibition on smoking including any area within five metres from a window of, ventila- tio an ind
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