skip to content

19 September 2002

 

Joburg Metro Enforces Tobacco Laws

 

Health Promotion Awareness Campaigns Planned

 

The Joburg Metro Council this evening resolved that Environmental Health Officers and the Metro City Police should enforce the Tobacco Products Control Act (83 of 1993) as amended and the Regulation framed under it.

 

This cleared the administrative obstacles regarding the delegation of powers which had previously existed. The council will embark upon a Health Promotion public awareness campaign and enforce the law as required by the Act.

 

The Metro City Police Academy has a training programme designed to fully empower their officers with knowledge of the Act and Regulations. Developed together with the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), the education began earlier this year. Peter Ucko, director of NCAS in cooperation with Director: Health, Dr Refik Bismilla, will conduct training of Environmental Health Officers.

 

"Levels of compliance with the tobacco control health laws are high" said Ucko. "There are however some bars and restaurants who believe erroneously that they can continue to flout the law. We ask them to consider the criminality of their failure to comply and to immediately protect the health of their staff and customers. If they don't they could pay dearly."

Law enforcement activities will take place at all times and not be limited to office hours.