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Changes to the 2009 Anti-Smoking Law, drafted by the government, are set to be reviewed by the Shura Council during its weekly session on Sunday.
In December last year, Parliament unanimously approved the amendments aimed at combating the sale of illegal tobacco products and so-called ‘healthy alternatives’.
Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro told the Shura services committee that there are international standards and regulations for any smoking equipment or tobacco entering the country.
Mr Fakhro
“Bahrain doesn’t allow any tobacco product to enter the country and it has to have been tested in international labs with certifications clearly indicating what the product contains, its safety level and featurettes,” he said.
As for so-called healthy alternatives, the minister said there were two types: herbal and non-herbal.
“For herbal, it is addictive extracts from any plant part that is used by chewing, sucking and inhaling, such as betel leaf.
“Non-herbal, usually mixed with herbal extracts, comes in chewable form such as Teshona.”
Dr Al Durazi
Bahrain Medical Society board chairman Dr Amer Al Durazi said more measures were necessary to stub out the smoking habit.
The Anti-Smoking Society Bahrain board chairman Majdi Bakri Yaseen said that it was heartening to note that the government and legislators were both keen on combating the use of tobacco, its derivatives or alternatives.
Mr Yaseen
Bahrain is seeking to reduce tobacco addiction by 30 per cent in 2025 and tougher punishments will help push it faster in that direction.”
Under the proposed legislation, the Health Minister will be authorised to draw up a list of banned products.
People found guilty of illegally importing, distributing or selling smoking alternatives, even if they do not contain nicotine, could be imprisoned for up to a year and fined between BD1,000 and BD100,000.
Those found cultivating and producing tobacco of any type, or importing tobacco product vending machines, or chewable or suckable tobacco products, will be fined between BD2,000 and BD5,000.
It is also prohibited for tobacco companies and sellers to advertise or sponsor sport, cultural, social events, parties or any other activity.
Stores will be banned from providing easy shelf access to tobacco products.
Any failure to abide by the rules or breaching them would result in the store facing a fine of between BD1,000 and BD3,000.
Providing tobacco products to anyone aged under 18, allowing smoking in clubs and public parks, or selling individual pieces from packs would lead to a fine of at least BD100.
Smoking in public facilities, or indoors, will carry a fine of BD20 to BD50.
Whenever a verdict is issued against violators, the court will have the power to close down facilities for up to a maximum of three months.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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