Smoking laws not enforced

In the letter Shamefully Smoke-filled (April 17), seven readers complained that the policemen on duty at St Julians on a particular day failed to intervene when a number of customers were continually smoking in a bar.

This comes as no surprise to me as, in the majority of bars in the area, the anti-smoking laws are flagrantly broken. The district police around Malta and Gozo do not seem to know what enforcement means. I personally watched as two persons, presumably security personnel, actually came out of a bar smoking a cigarette each, to talk to three policemen who were patrolling the Paceville area. This was about three months ago but I am told by friends who frequent the area that flouting the anti-smoking law is a regular occurrence.

The Commissioner of Police is a busy man and cannot deal with all matters but surely his senior officers should see to it that the members under their charge make sure laws are observed. It would also be in the public interest if from time to time the police publish the number of persons caught smoking in places of entertainment and the action taken against smokers and those owners who allow them to break the law.