28 June 2001
The 30th of June 2001 is the final day for establishments that were granted extension to effect structural changes in order to comply with the Tobacco Control Amendment Act 1999 (Act 12 of 1999). Businesses that have not completed their structural changes are legally required to be smoke free.
From the 1st of July 2001 the ban of smoking in public places will be enforced. Smoking will only be allowed in public places that comply with the law. The Department of Health has received a total number of 1 178 letters requesting extensions of which 563 were approved and 615 declined. According to Ms Debbie Mopeli, Acting Director: Health Promotion, applications are declined on the following basis:
According to the Tobacco Regulations a public place could either create a designated smoking area or become smoke free. The designated smoking area should not exceed 25% of the total floor area, should be separated from the rest of the public place by a solid partition and an entrance door on which the sign "SMOKING AREA" is displayed. The ventilation of the smoking area should be such that air from the smoking area is directly exhausted to the outside and is not re- circulated to any other area within the public place.
Bars in public places and private clubs cannot be designated as smoking areas as this will be discrimination against non-smokers. Business owners and managers of smoking establishments and cigar bars should take note that no food or beverages should be sold in their premises.