Effective 1st April 2016, the Tobacco Control Law comes into force.
This new law is designed to protect the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands from the harmful effects of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and regulate the distribution, sale and manufacturing of tobacco products.
In order to comply with the law the public should be mindful of the following:
A. All persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing, exporting, distributing or
selling tobacco products must obtain a license within the first nine months of the law coming into force
B. Do not sell tobacco products (including toys and candy resembling tobacco products) to minors
C. Do not engage in tobacco advertising, promotion or sponsorship
D. Tobacco companies must disclose the contents of tobacco products and information about the health effects of their products
E. Do not display tobacco products in such a way that it is visible to the public
F. Do not use tobacco vending machines or sell tobacco in a way that a customer may handle the product without assistance of a clerk
G. Do not sell a smoked tobacco product as an individual unit, unless the product is individually labelled as required
H. Packaging and labelling of all tobacco products must have big, visible graphic health warnings
and no misleading descriptors (such as light or mild, etc.)
The bill also states that smoke will not be allowed in an enclosed public place, enclosed workplace, or public conveyance, including places listed below:
1. Government buildings
2. Hospitals and medical facilities
3. Airports
4. Hotels, motels, inns (with the exception of areas for smoking, 15 to 25 ft. radius)
5. Reception rooms, lobbies or areas where the public have access
6. Public owned facilities rented out for events
7. Meetings and interview rooms
8. Corridors, toilet areas, stairways and elevators
9. Public lounges and canteen areas
10. Bars
11. Clubs
12. Restaurants
13. Pool halls
14. Schools
15. Government vehicles
16. Vehicles used for public transport
17. Areas designated for public transportation
18. Shops and shopping centres
19. Cinemas
20. Public parks
21. Sporting complexes such as stadiums, ballparks, basketball courts etc.
22. Workplace facilities
23. A public places where tables and chairs are provided for customers to consume food purchased from an on-site service
24. Any other facilities that are accessible to the public.
A manager, owner or lessee of a place listed above must post signs prominently on the premises or public conveyance, stating that smoking is not permitted in that place or public conveyance.
The laws will be enforced by Public and Environmental Health officers, Customs officers and Police officers who will have the power to enter any public place in which tobacco products are sold, manufactured, stored, transported, received, distributed or supplied and conduct inspections or investigations.
For further information about the Tobacco Control Ordinance contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department at: 338-3613 in Grand Turk, 338-4737 in Providenciales and 338-6301 in South Caicos or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TCIDMHSD.
