Ban on smoking in playgrounds comes into force

A ban on smoking in playgrounds came into force today, with Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli saying that initially the focus will be on 'educating' smokers to snuff out. Anyone caught smoking in a playground can be liable to a fine of  €233 for a first offence, with penalties rising to a maximum of €1,164 under the Tobacco Control Act. The purpose of the legal notice is to discourage smoking in the presence of children. Malta was the second EU state to introduce a ban on indoor smoking in public places  in April 2004. The ban on smoking in play grounds also applies to public gardens in the precincts of children's playing equipment.