Outlet operators to face smoking violation charges

Fourteen entertainment establishments have been found in breach of the legal notice banning smoking in public places except in designated smoking rooms.

Health inspectorate manager John Attard Kingswell said the operators of the establishments in question will be taken to court.

Since the beginning of the year, the Public Health Department received and investigated about 38 complaints, mostly involving catering establishments, Mr Attard Kingswell told The Times.

Smoking regulations in entertainment establishments started coming into force in Malta last year.

As from October 2004, smoking was not permitted in establishments measuring over 60 square metres and the smaller establishments were given until last April to come in line with the regulations.

The Tobacco Control Act stipulates that a fine of between Lm100 and Lm500 may be imposed for the first offence and the person can also be imprisoned for up to three months and have his licence suspended for between a week and a month.

Mr Attard Kingswell said that besides carrying out normal routine inspections in catering establishments during normal office hours, the health inspectorate can also conduct ad hoc inspections after hours.

Answering a parliamentary question earlier this week, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said 81 people were caught smoking in smoke-free establishments in Paceville in the first six months of the year.