St Helena : ST Helena: NEW TOBACCO RULES TO BE IN FORCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2012
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 16.06.2012 (Article Archived on 30.06.2012)
Under the new Tobacco Control Ordinance which comes into force on 1 September 2012 all enclosed or substantially enclosed premises and vehicles used by the public shall be smoke free, and the age to purchase or smoke tobacco will increase from 16 to 18 years.
ST Helena: NEW TOBACCO RULES TO BE IN FORCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2012
Enforcement, Poster Competition, Reminder
Under the new Tobacco Control Ordinance which comes into force on 1 September 2012 all enclosed or substantially enclosed premises and vehicles used by the public shall be smoke free, and the age to purchase or smoke tobacco will increase from 16 to 18 years.
St Helena Government will be running an extensive communications campaign up until the law is enforced, explaining the new Ordinance, informing the public of the changes and encouraging people to stop smoking.
This week we focus on Enforcement and what happens if someone is caught breaking the law.
Enforcement Officers
Enforcement Officers will be appointed by the Governor and will have the same power as a Police Officer when dealing with instances where they suspect the law is being broken.
Enforcement Officers who find a person under the age of 18 smoking or in possession of tobacco in any public place will be able to seize the tobacco.
Persons from whom the tobacco was taken will be able, within 21 days of the date the tobacco was seized, to apply to the Magistrates’ Court for the tobacco to be returned to them. If the Court is satisfied that the person was in fact over the age of 18 when the tobacco was taken, it will be returned to them. If they are found to be under 18 the tobacco will be destroyed.
If no application is made to the Court within 21 days, the seized tobacco will be destroyed as directed by the Chief of Police.
When seizing tobacco from suspected underage persons, Enforcement Officers must provide such persons a receipt showing the Enforcement Officer’s name, a description of the item or items seized and a notice of the person’s rights.
Obstruction of Enforcement Officers
If a person obstructs an Enforcement Officer during his duty (for example, by providing false or misleading information) they are committing an offence and could be fined up to £500.
Enforcement Officers who believe that any person has committed this offence can give a fixed penalty notice of £25.00 and the number of days in which this amount should be settled. If a person fails to pay a penalty by the due date further proceedings may be taken against them.
‘No Smoking’ Poster Competition
The ‘Anti -Smoking’ Poster Competition, encouraging young people to take part in the campaign with the message ‘Smoking Kills! Smoking is Dangerous to Ourselves and Others Around Us’ is continuing in the Schools.
Pupils and Students are reminded that monetary prizes will be awarded to the winning posters and these posters will be used in displays throughout the remainder of the campaign. The closing date for poster entries is on Friday 22 June 2012. Further details and guidance can be obtained from Cheryl Bedwell at Prince Andrew School on 4290 or at the Education Learning Centre on 2607.
SHG
13 June 2012
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