Smoking in public vehicles to be stopped by July
Traffic Police Officer help out in putting stickers to boost its awareness of No Smoking in public vehicles
MERCY period for smoking in public vehicles will come to an end in July, reaffirmed by the Tobacco taskforce yesterday.
The Tobacco Taskforce of Ministry of Health and Medical Service and Police Traffic officers went through town pasting No-Smoking stickers on buses and taxis yesterday.
The Taskforce and police officers also gave awareness to vehicle owners and users, that smoking in buses and taxis will be prohibited by July this year.
Officers strongly emphasised yesterday that there will be no excuse to anyone found smoking since they have been made aware on this mercy period.
A follow-up awareness will also be made on radio until July.
The Chairman of Tobacco Taskforce and Consultant for Tobacco and Drug Control, Dr Cedric Alependava said by July they will start arresting people caught smoking in public vehicles.
He adds no one is immune to this law, and it includes bus drivers, conductors, taxi drivers and passengers.
The Chairman of Tobacco Taskforce and Consultant for Tobacco and Drug Control, Dr Cedric Alependava and Officer of Police Traffic busy pasting No Smoking stickers on taxi behind Point Cruz Hot Bread
Dr Alependava said they are doing this as part of reducing the toll of smoking across Solomon Islands which increases number of NCD case because of tobacco uses.
Last year Dr Alependava said they also carried out similar activities, and now the programme aims to distribute 2,000 stickers to public vehicles as part of awareness.
According to the Tobacco Act, the fine for smoking in public vehicles is at a maximum of SBD$20,000, and it also depends on the court’s decision.
Public have reacted gratefully to yesterday’s exercise and have applauded the authorities for pushing for no smoking in public transport.
The three spots in which the pasting exercise was done were; Lawson Tama car park, HCC car park and Point Cruz Hot Bread.
