According to recent reports from the Ghanaian Times, a total of 19 entertainment venues and restaurants in the Greater Accra and Central regions of Ghana have been fined a total of 475,000 Ghana cedis (30,548 US dollars) for violating laws prohibiting smoking in public places. The establishments that were fined include bars, nightclubs, and entertainment centers, each having to pay 25,000 Ghana cedis (1,607.84 US dollars).
Employees of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Police Service conducted a three-day night surveillance operation in the Greater Accra region in Accra and in the Central region in Kasoa.
According to the regulations of the smoking ban, smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces, public transportation, and recreational areas to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Dr. Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, director of tobacco and substance abuse at the FDA, revealed in an interview with the media that the inspection team visited a total of 51 establishments, with 19 of them found to have customers violating the smoke-free laws. Evidence was documented through videos and photos. Boateng noted that each non-compliant facility was fined 25,000 Ghanaian cedis ($1,607.84 USD) in administrative penalties.
According to Section 6 of the 2012 Public Health Act, individuals who violate this law will face a fine of over 750 penalty units (approximately 9,000 Ghanaian cedis or $578.82) or up to three years imprisonment. If the violation continues, an additional 10 penalty units will be added to the fine each day. The current administrative fine is set at 25,000 Ghanaian cedis (approximately $1,607.84).
Bauten assured that the FDA will continue to promote public health safety and urged the public to cooperate by reporting unauthorized smoking activities.
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