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Editorial Enforce the anti-smoking ban 

THOUGH there is a legislation that prohibits smoking in public places, this seemingly has not discouraged smokers from puffing away everywhere, anytime. There can be only one explanation for this. The law is not being enforced.

A question could be asked. How many people have been punished for contravening this piece of legislation? If there are any, the number is negligible. . . .

As the Minister of Health prepares to bring a new bill to Parliament in a bid to curb public smoking, it is time to look at other loopholes that exist in the present legislation.

As in developed countries that are serious about protecting the health of their young people, shop attendants must demand a purchaser's ID if they suspect them to be under-age, rather than give them the benefit of the doubt, as is presently the case. It is also time to review the prescribed penalties for offenders, and determine if they are really a deterrent.

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