Ghana: Food and Drugs Authority to Arrest Public Smokers

Source from:  Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (gh)  06/08/2013

The Food and Drugs Authority, FDA, has given indications that it would arrest and prosecute persons who smoke publicly.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Executive of the FDA, Dr Stephen Opuni, the move is to ensure that non-smokers are protected from smokers considering the overwhelming evidence of the harmful effects of breathing tobacco smoke.

The authority also added that managers of the public places, who refuse to prevent the practice of public smoking at their facilities, would also be arrested and prosecuted.

The move is part of FDA'S effort to prevent tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer.

The arrest according to the FDA would be followed by criminal prosecution, under Part Six of the Public Health Act 2012, which prescribes punishment of a severe fine or imprisonment to those found culpable. Enditem