Enforcement Officers to Monitor Tobacco Users

Source from:  The Fiji Times 07/07/2015

Adhere to the Tobacco Decree as any breach of this would result in people being prosecuted, says Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

In a statement released this afternoon, the ministry states that the Tobacco decree gives powers to enforcement officers to monitor retailers and public places such as bus stands and internet cafes which are no smoking zones.

It stated that between June 15 and 19 the Tobacco Enforcement Unit booked 45 offenders for tobacco control breaching the decree in the Western Division.

"In terms of businesses, 19 retailers have been charged for　failure to display a 'No smoking sign' within their retailing area while 15 retailers been charged for failure to place a clear and prominent notice inside retail outlet notifying the public they do not sell tobacco product to any person under the age of 18-years old," the statement read.

"Three retailers were charged for selling cigarette rolls and nine people were caught smoking in prohibited public places. The offenders were served with notices to pay the fines which range from $200 to $1000 for smoking in public places and illicit trade of tobacco products respectively."

People who fail to pay the fines would end up serving time in prison, it read. Enditem