NATIONAL NEWS - Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Eden District Municipality (Eden DM) celebrated World No-Tobacco Day in Plettenberg Bay on 23 May.
The purpose of this event was to increase awareness among restaurant owners and managers with regards to smoking in public places and the awareness of smoke-free regulations.
EHPs conducted door-to-door inspections at selected restaurants in the town and issued notification letters and information material to owners managers.
Informative material relating to the impacts of smoking in public places were also handed over to the restaurants for further distribution to their clients.
During discussions with owners managers, it was emphasised that the Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993 (Act No 83 of 1993), relating to smoking in public and certain outdoor places, is prescriptive regarding where people may smoke and where smoking is prohibited.
Due to continuous inspections and awareness campaigns, there is a recorded decrease in smoking transgressions and complaints.
However, the restaurant industry is concerned that, fully implementing tobacco-related laws and regulations, might negatively affect their profit margins, as they might lose customers.
It was emphasised that no smoking in partially enclosed public places such as balconies, covered patios, verandas, walkways and parking areas, is allowed.
Smoking is only permitted in a ventilated, designated smoking area separated from the rest of the restaurants by a solid partition and an entrance door on which the sign, “Smoking Area”, is visibly displayed.
Every citizen has a constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing. In addition, citizens have a right to complain when someone smokes in their presence in any area where smoking is prohibited.
Report any transgressions of the Act to the EHP of the Eden DM at Knysna (044 382 7214), Bitou (044501 1603), George (044 803 1522), Mossel Bay (044 693 0006), Oudtshoorn (044 272 2241) or Hessequa (028 713 2438).
Did You Know?
- Adults may not smoke in a car when a passenger under 12 years is present.
- Smoking is not allowed inside premises (including private homes) used for commercial childcare activities, such as crèches, or at any learning or tutor centres.
- No person under 18 years is allowed in a designated smoking area.
- The owner and the individual smoking who breaks the smoking law will be fined.
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