8 Mar 2012

PNG extends smoking bans

3:04 pm on 8 March 2012

Papua New Guinea's Minister of Health is warning people defying a ban on smoking in public will face hefty fines.

The ban on smoking in schools, hospitals, shops, offices, sporting facilities and public transport comes into effect after it was in the National Gazette on Monday.

The Minister, Jamie Maxtone-Graham, says anyone caught smoking in public places will be fined up to 1000 kina, or almost 500 US dollars.

He says an enforcement unit is being established within the Health Department to see that the law is being followed.

The Post Courier reports Mr Graham as saying the law enforcement unit would also oversee other issues such as stolen drugs, illegal and cheap drugs.

It will also monitor food outlets, and those not operating within health standards will be dealt with.