(Barbados Nation) Barbados is outlawing smoking in public places from October 1. The ban, announced yesterday by Minister of Health Donville Inniss, comes with stiff fines for both smokers and businesses that don’t clamp down on people taking a puff. It covers rum-shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, other businesses, Government buildings and some places of “national significance” such as libraries and museums. Smokers found guilty of breaking the regulations may face a B$500 fine or a 12-month prison term – or both.

It’s going to be a lot tougher for proprietors found guilty of allowing people to smoke in a public place. They could be fined B$5 000 or be imprisoned for 12 months – or both.

Under laws to be passed shortly, proprietors also have to display no-smoking signage in at least two prominent places.

Those who refuse to do this or to allow inspectors from performing their duties could be fined B$5 000 or imprisoned for 12 months – or face both penalties, once convicted.

Ban and penalties. The ban and penalties were announced during a breakfast briefing session the Ministry of Health hosted at Accra Beach Hotel & Resort in Christ Church.

Senior Medical Officer, Chronic Diseases, Dr Kenneth George, detailed the penalties for non-compliance. He said there was a clear and simple definition of “public place”.

He told the WEEKEND NATION: “A public place is a place that has a permanent or temporary roof, that is either fully or substantially enclosed [to which the public has access].