The City of Cape Town commemorating World No Tobacco Day today, 31 May 2013, and is joining the rest of the world in encouraging a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption.
“The use of tobacco products can have a devastating effect on the health of smokers as well as those exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke. The negative effects of smoking include heart attacks, the development of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood clots, cancer, strokes, ulcers and other deadly diseases,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Lungiswa James.
“As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day, we want to use this opportunity to inform every person in the city of their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Tobacco Control Act,” Cllr James says.
The Act prohibits any person from smoking tobacco products in indoor, enclosed, or partially enclosed area that is open to the public, including a workplace or public conveyance.
It also states that the owner, person in control of a public place, or employer in respect of a workplace, shall ensure that no person smokes in that place or area. An employer, owner, licensee, lessee or person in control of a public place may designate a portion of a public place as a smoking area subject to certain requirements, however, under-18s should be not present.
The individual, owner, or employer, if found to be in contravention of this Act, is liable to maximum fines of R500 for the individual; R50 000 for the owner of a public place; and R100 000 for the employer.
The Act also states that no one should smoke in any motor vehicle when a child under the age of 12 years is present or in a private dwelling if that private dwelling is used for any commercial childcare activity, or for schooling or tutoring.
In addition, tobacco products should not be sold or supplied to anyone under the age of 18 and the sale or supply of any sweet or toy that resembles or is intended to represent any tobacco product is also illegal.
Part of the City’s commitment to creating a Caring City that looks after your health is fulfilled
through the co-ordination of awareness events by Environmental Health staff. These events will include:
