Minister of Health
By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Health has on Monday renewed its advice against public smoking as per the Tobacco Act 2016 and Regulation 2019.
“Prohibition of smoking in all public places which includes [smoking] offices, office building and workplaces including individual offices, public areas, corridors, lounges, guest rooms, lodging, eating areas, reception area, lifts, escalators, foyers, stairwells, toilets, laundries, amenity areas; court buildings; factories; hotels; bars and restaurants; hospitals, clinics and other health institutions; educational institutions at all levels; premises in which children are cared for; public places of worship; prisons; police cells; public service vehicle and other means of public transport; public transport terminals, including airport and airfields; retail establishments including markets and shopping malls; cinemas and theatrical performance halls; sport stadia; and such other places as may be prescribed by the regulation,” the Directorate Of Health Promotion and Education said in a statement
According to the statement, the only smoking area as per the Tobacco Control Act, is one hundred (100) meters away from public places.
“Further to the provisions on smoke free environment, the Act prohibits all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; display of tobacco products at point of sale. Sellers of tobacco products are required to hide their products which shall only be displayed at the time of purchase and selling of [a] single stick of cigarettes and small packets less than (20) sticks of cigarette are prohibited,” the statement added.