The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is gearing up to enforce the Smoking Act which is designed to control smoking in public places.
Business owners are being urged to secure licences through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to legally operate designated smoking areas ahead of the enforcement period.
Under the Smoking (Designated Areas) Act, 2023, smoking is strictly prohibited outside of designated smoking areas.
The Act defines smoking as the use of any lighted or heated device, pipe, cannabis, cannabis resin, or electronic smoking device intended for inhalation. Public spaces, as defined by the law, include bars, restaurants, clubs, tourist establishments, hotels, schools, and other educational institutions.
Businesses that allow illegal smoking on their premises will face a fine of EC$1,000. Individuals caught smoking in any public space will be issued a $500 ticket. Failure to pay the fine may result in up to twenty hours of community service or imprisonment for five days.
The move to enforce the law comes in response to growing public health concerns, particularly for individuals who suffer respiratory ailments or allergic reactions to smoke.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasise that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure can lead to serious health issues, including coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and adverse reproductive effects in women.
The Police Force’s actions underscore the importance of adhering to these new regulations to protect public health and reduce the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
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