Tobacco Control Regulations

FAQs Malaria Vaccine H1N1 Influenza Virus Pioglitazone Genetically Modified Crop Tobacco Control Regulations Codeine Containing Cough Syrups Tramadol Mpox Outbreak Tapentadol World No Tobacco Day 2025 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Give us a brief overview of what the Tobacco Control Regulation 2016 L.I. 2247 specifies These Regulations are in furtherance of provisions on tobacco control specified in Section76 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851); in order to reduce continually and substantiallythe prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco.The tobacco control regulations 2016, L.I. 2247 entered into full force on the 4th January,2017.Some areas covered by the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016, (L.I.2247)include:a. Requirements for areas designated for smokingb. Display of no smoking signsc. Duties of owners or persons in charge of a public place or work placed. Depictions of tobacco in entertainment mediae. Health warnings and messages for tobacco and tobacco productsf. Sale of tobacco and tobacco productsg. Registration of persons who deal in tobacco and tobacco related tradeh. Registration of tobacco and tobacco productsi. Illicit Tobacco and Tobacco Products. What is the rationale for the tobacco packaging and labelling provisions? • To bring all possible information on the hazardous effects of tobacco use tothe “palms” and “pocket” of the tobacco user and the general public.• To reinforce the message of hazardous effect every time a smoker reachesfor tobacco products.• To reach smokers with low education and literacy and to help reducedisparities in health knowledge. What is Pictorial Health Warning (PHW)? Pictorial Health warnings are warnings in the form of images that are required to appearon the retail packaging of a tobacco product to communicate the health risk to usersand the public.Pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages are a cost-effective means to increasepublic awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. A wide variety of research hasclearly demonstrated the effectiveness of using pictures and imagery in healthcommunications What does the regulation say about the registration of tobacco products Sections 14 and 15 of the L.I.2247 respectively state that a person shall notmanufacture or import a tobacco or tobacco product unless that person isregistered by the Food and Drugs Authority; and a person shall not manufacture,import or sell a tobacco or tobacco product unless the product is registered bythe Authority. What does the regulation say about Minors handling tobacco? • It states that we cannot by law sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of18 years.• It goes on to offer means of ascertaining the age of a buyer or seller of tobaccowithout which a transaction (buying or selling by a child) should be allowed. •The regulations also put a lot of restrictions on minors’ handling of tobacco ortobacco products; these restrictions seek to protect children from exposure totobacco products by prohibiting children from selling tobacco products or buyingtobacco products or even lighting a smokeable tobacco product. What does the regulation say about smoking in private vehicles? The tobacco control regulations prohibit smoking in private vehicles where thereare pregnant women and or children only. According to the regulations, what are the duties of Managers / Persons in Charge of Public Places or Work Places? It specifies the actions that can be taken by managers/persons in charge of workplacesand public places to ensure compliance and safe public health. A manager or owner ofa public place shall ensure that:• an employee is not exposed to tobacco smoke and is protected from tobaccosmoke in the workplace;• employees are not required or requested to sign a waiver or agreement to workin a designated smoking area.• an employee who refuses to enter a designated smoking area in the workplaceis not victimized or sanctioned;• adequate “NO SMOKING” signages are posted or displayed at the work placethat clearly indicates that the establishment is a non-smoking area• a designated area for smoking is clearly marked as a designated smoking areawith a signage.• people smoke only in a designated smoking area.• ashtrays are not displayed in a public place or workplace except in a designatedsmoking area.• a customer or employee who smokes in a non- smoking area to stop smoking orleave the place immediately.• service to a customer who is smoking in a public place or work place isdiscontinued.• warnings are issued and then appropriate disciplinary action taken against anemployee/customer/person who smokes in a non-smoking area.• any person who refuses to stop smoking and refuses to leave the non -smokingarea is arrested by a security personnel.• an employee does not enter an area designated for smoking at a time duringwhich smoking activity is taking place or for any purpose including cleaning ormaintenance of the area designated for smoking• an employee does not sign a waiver or agreement to work in a designatedsmoking area. Below are samples each of the approved signages for designated smoking areas and non-smoking areas respectively: How is FDA enforcing the display of No Smoking signages and the Designated Smoking Area (DSA) law? The FDA is enforcing the regulations through monitoring and surveillance visits topublic places to monitor and ensure their compliance to the provision of adequate“no smoking” signages and DSAs.• FDA also organises training programmes for Restaurant/Pub owners andHoteliers to educate them about the law.• Facility owners who decide to create designated areas for smoking are guided tomeet requirements and specifications. What does the point of sale health warning seek to achieve? It seeks to prevent sale of tobacco to children below 18years and educate thetobacco smokers and buyers about the harmful effect of tobacco and tobaccoproducts. This provision places a responsibility on all persons that sell tobacco products to have a health warning at every place tobacco is sold. This warning isto be determined by the FDA. What is the penalty for contravening the law? • A fine of not more than 750 penalty units (fine of GH¢9000) or a term ofimprisonment of not more than 3 years. 1 penalty unit is equivalent toGH¢12.00. In the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of 10 penaltyunits applies for each day during which the offence continues. How does the FDA intend to enforce this L.I 2247? FDA is ensuring enforcement through:• Continuous public education in the media and in communities• Naming and shaming defaulters• Fines and penalties• Unannounced visits and surveillance• Prompt responses to complaints on non-compliances.• Mobilizing social support and public enforcement• Engagement with interest groups• Collaboration with partner government agencies and organizations. References Page 5 of 5Version 1: 30th June, 2017products to have a health warning at every place tobacco is sold. This warning isto be determined by the FDA.11. What is the penalty for contravening the law?• A fine of not more than 750 penalty units (fine of GH¢9000) or a term ofimprisonment of not more than 3 years. 1 penalty unit is equivalent toGH¢12.00. In the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of 10 penaltyunits applies for each day during which the offence continues.12. How does the FDA intend to enforce this L.I 2247?FDA is ensuring enforcement through:• Continuous public education in the media and in communities• Naming and shaming defaulters• Fines and penalties• Unannounced visits and surveillance• Prompt responses to complaints on non-compliances.• Mobilizing social support and public enforcement• Engagement with interest groups• Collaboration with partner government agencies and organizations.For further clarification contact FDA ono OFFICE LINES :-0302235100 / 0302233200 /0544341222. o TOLL FREE :- 0800151000(vodafone/Airtel) o Website: fdaghana.gov.gh oTwitter: ghfda@gh_fdao Facebook: Food and Drugs Authority-GH oEmail: fda@fdaghana.gov.gh o Whatsapp:0206973065 o SMS Short Code: 4015 o Hotlines:0299802932 0299802933ReferencingPublic Health Act, 2012, Act 851,Tobacco Control Regulations 2016