FDA to punish individuals who break law on no smoking at public places
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it will invoke its powers to punish institutions and people who breach the law on smoking in public places.
Advertisement
Apart from imposing fines on operators of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and drinking spots for the violation of the law, the FDA will also not hesitate to revoke permits for entities that are not compliant with the law.
Section 58 of the Public Health Act of 2012 prohibits smoking in public places.
The act, which also prohibits smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces, forms part of efforts to significantly limit exposure to second-hand smoke by non-smokers.
The law provides that any outdoor area where smoking is allowed must have at least four feet of space open to the outdoors at the top or bottom of at least one wall to allow air to circulate.
It provides for penalties of up to GH¢9,000.
No Smoking
At a sensitisation programme for operators of entertainment facilities in Accra last Tuesday, the Head of Tobacco and Substance Abuse Department at the FDA, Ms Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, indicated that while public places were to display the “No Smoking” sign at designated points, many operators had failed to adhere to the tenets of the provisions in the law.
She said although managers of public places had the responsibility to prevent people from smoking on their premises, they often failed to enforce the law.
“Often, facilities are reluctant to comply because they argue that majority of the clientele who patronise and pay more for their services are people who smoke,” Ms Boateng said.
According to Ms Boateng, some managers have argued that isolating smokers to a dedicated area is also an affront to their human rights.
“While we appreciate the challenges, we believe the law is the law, and people must be held liable for their actions if they fail to comply,” Ms Boateng pointed out.
Tobacco Framework
The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mr Hudu Mogtari, indicated that the enactment of the Public Health Act was an obligation on the part of Ghana in line with the World Health organisation (WHO) framework on tobacco control.
He indicated that research had confirmed there was no safe tobacco; hence, the need to ensure the general public was well sensitise to the laws.
Writer’s email: [email protected]