South African MPs pass stricter smoking laws
CAPE TOWN (AFP) — South African lawmakers gave their final seal of approval Thursday to legislation which will make it harder for smokers to indulge their habit in the open air, at home or in their cars.
The amendment bill makes it an offence to smoke within a prescribed distance from a window, ventilation inlet, doorway or entrance to a public place -- and introduces a fine of 500 rand (about 70 dollars) for breaches.
It also bans smoking in a private dwelling used for commercial childcare, tutoring or schooling, and in any car transporting a child younger than 12.
The bill passed by parliament's second house, the National Council of Provinces, aims to tighten perceived loopholes in existing legislation. It will now be sent to President Thabo Mbeki to be signed into law.
Employers who fail to protect non-smokers in the workplace would be liable for a fine of up to 100,000 rand, a ten-fold increase on the previous penalty.
The bill prohibits anyone under 18 from entering a designated smoking area and bans "misleading labelling" on cigarette packets, including words such as "light" and "mild."
