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On Monday, procedures to prevent the sale of tobacco products to those under 18 years of age came into effect, with intensified regulatory visits to establishments and grocery stores, especially around schools.
The Director of the Health Awareness and Media Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Muhammad Al-Qadan, said that the Ministry had prepared an inspection and awareness program, in conjunction with the start of the implementation of the procedures.
Al-Qadan explained that the Public Health Law No. 47 of 2008 and its amendments form the legislative framework regulating the protection of public health, and includes provisions for the prevention of smoking damage and the prohibition of smoking in public places, along with the determination of the responsibilities of establishments in compliance with health requirements.
According to Article 63 of the law, those who sell cigarettes to those under 18 years of age shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than 6 months, or with a fine of not less than one thousand dinars and not more than three thousand dinars.
The same article grants the Minister of Health the authority to close the place where the violation occurred for the period he deems appropriate.
Al-Qadan explained that the handling of violations and penalties will be according to each case, pointing out that the Ministry carries out continuous field and regulatory visits, and has more than 500 liaison officers trained in the Public Health Law and holding the status of judicial police.
Regarding the services of delivering tobacco products to homes, he explained that the Minister's powers include closing the place, while the competent authorities have the authority to seize any means of transportation that promotes tobacco products or provides delivery services for them.
Al-Qadan called on parents to monitor their children, guide them, and raise awareness of the dangers of smoking, pointing out that smoking is an addiction, and it may start with teenagers and students as a trial or joke before reaching the stage of addiction.
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan directed on Sunday, the Ministry of Health and the concerned authorities to tighten the supervision on all establishments, activate Article 63 of the Public Health Law, and close establishments that are proven to provide or sell hookahs or tobacco products to those under 18 years of age.
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