The measures banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 came into effect on Monday, with intensified inspection visits to businesses and grocery stores, particularly those located near schools.
اضافة اعلان
Director of the Health Awareness and Information Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Al-Qa’dan, said the ministry had prepared an inspection and awareness programme alongside the implementation of the measures.
Speaking to Al Mamlaka, Al-Qa’dan explained that Public Health Law No. 47 of 2008 and its amendments provides the legislative framework governing public health protection.
The law includes provisions aimed at preventing the harms of smoking and banning smoking in public places, as well as defining the responsibilities of establishments in complying with health requirements.
Under Article 63 of the law, anyone who sells cigarettes to people under the age of 18 is subject to imprisonment for no less than three months and no more than six months, or a fine ranging from JD1,000 to JD3,000.
Paragraph (d) of the same article authorises the Minister of Health to close the premises where the violation occurred for a period deemed appropriate.
Al-Qa’dan said violations and penalties would be handled on a case-by-case basis, noting that the ministry conducts continuous field and inspection visits. He added that it has more than 500 liaison officers trained in the Public Health Law and authorised as judicial officers.
Regarding home delivery services for tobacco products, he explained that the minister has the authority to order the closure of the premises, while the relevant authorities have the power to seize any vehicle used to promote or deliver tobacco products.
Al-Qa’dan urged parents to monitor their children and guide them about the harmful effects of smoking, noting that smoking is an addiction that may begin among teenagers and students as an experiment or joke before developing into addiction.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan directed the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities to tighten oversight of all establishments, enforce Article 63 of the Public Health Law, and close establishments found to be providing shisha or selling or supplying tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18.
