HPA fines 44 establishments for violating anti-tobacco laws

Forty four establishments were fined by the the Health Protection Agency (HPA) this year for violating the anti-tobacco act, ‘Sun Online‘ has reported.

Since the regulation restricting public smoking was created and enforced under the act, a total of 54 establishments were fined, the report said.

Failure to display no smoking signs results in an initial fine of MVR500, and then MVR5000 every time after that. Anyone smoking in a designated smoking zone under the regulation is fined MVR500.

Sun quoted the Deputy Director of the agency Hassan Mohamed who said that many challenges remain in implementing the legislation.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health has this week shut down three famous cafe’s in Male’ for failing to meet their hygiene standards. Rats, cockroaches, and their droppings were found in some of these cafe’s according to the ministry.