Over 90 per cent of public spaces comply with anti-tobacco law

Chisinau, 29 May /MOLDPRES/- Over 90 per cent of public spaces comply with the anti-tobacco law, according to a study presented today by the Centre for Health Policies and Analysis (PAS).

Program Director of the PAS Ghenadie Turcanu noted that the study was conducted on 1 January-2 March 2017 in 326 restaurants, cafes and pubs, 72 medical institutions and 70 educational institutions in Chisinau, Balti and Cahul. “According to results, 97 per cent of public catering establishments (96 per cent in 2016) comply with the law and displayed the unique sign – no smoking when entering the rooms and 91 per cent of restaurants, cafes and pubs smoking was not certified”, Turcanu said.

The research also found that 99 per cent of educational institutions comply with the law and displayed no smoking at the entrance, compared with 90 per cent in medical institutions. “As a result of the monitoring, 30 complaints were made and sent to the territorial public health centres (Chisinau -22, Balti-8) for the restaurants, cafes and pubs where it was smoking. One third of places where smoking was certified, were the same as those identified in last year’s monitoring as places violating the law”, Ghenadie Turcanu said.

According to data by the Interior Ministry, fines amounting to more than seven million lei have been imposed for violation of anti-tobacco law. Most fines have been imposed in Chisinau.

The law on tobacco control entered into force on 31 May 2016. Under the document, smoking is prohibited in closed places, means of transport, including private ones, under the roof of public transport stations, amusement parks and playgrounds for children, stadiums, arenas, markets and other public spaces open during social events and other kinds of entertainment.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor A. Răileanu)