The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has expressed its willingness and determination to enforce the ban on smoking in all public places with immediate effect as stipulated under the Prohibition of Smoking (public places) Act of 1998. The declaration of its intent is contained in a press release issued by the Department yesterday.
This Act, was enacted on the 23 September 1998, thereby making public smoking unlawful and punishable

The Act defines public places to include all government premises, all work places, hospitals or health facilities, private premises, Vehicles and shops to which the public have access.
The release has urged all heads of institutions, organizations, workplaces and other public places to implement this Act. In such establishments, smoking will be allowed only in clearly labeled designated smoking areas.
A person who contravenes a provision of this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dalasis and not less than two hundred dalasis or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both fine and imprisonment,” the release noted.
The release claims that the Department of State for Health And Social Welfare has already concluded nationwide regional consultations on the Act, and will continue to inform and educate the general public on the Act as well as the overall hazards of tobacco.
The release also reveals that “According to the World Health Organization, over 5 million people die worldwide each year due to both active and passive smoking. Hence, it is common knowledge that many people innocently or unknowingly become victims of tobacco use by being exposed to second hand smoke at their places of work, homes or other public places.”
The Secretary of State, Ministry of State for Health And Social Welfare promised that her Department of State will work closely with the security forces to enforce this Act.