Smoking rules to be tightened

By Anya van Wyk
14 September 2006

A new bill that aims to tighten smoking laws will be instituted at the end of the year. This will be close to making smoking a criminal offence.

According to the Cape Times, the new law will prevent people under the age of 18 from entering smoking areas. The health minister will reserve the right to make public places a non-smoking zone. Places that pose a fire threat will also be declared non-smoking zones. Businesses that fail to protect their employees will face penalties.

The minister of health does not plan to relax these laws for 2010 despite an appeal form the Tabocco Institute to be more “open-minded” during this time.

The bill will be put into place by the end of the year.