Gendarmes, police, firefighters and border police can fine those who do not comply with the law banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces on Thursday. The Ministry of Internal Affairs points out that the notifications do not represent an emergency and the number 112 should not be called for such violations.
An order of the Minister of Internal Affairs establishes who can give sanctions according to the new legislation regarding smoking in public spaces.
Thus, they can ascertain the contraventions and apply the fines provided by law: the police agents within the Romanian Police; officers and police agents from the Romanian Border Police (at airports and at border crossing points); the staff from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and the inspectorates for county emergency situations; officers and non-commissioned officers from the Romanian Gendarmerie.
The representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs showed, in a response sent to News.ro’s request, that no plan of measures has been established so that punctual actions will be organized, but only during the routine activities will the provisions of the new law be applied.
Besides the fact that they will be prioritized only according to the other missions, the MIA representatives also say that notifications should not be made to the emergency number 112, because complaints about smoking in public spaces are not an imminent danger.
“Emphasis will be placed on the accountability of legal persons regarding their obligations for the implementation of the provisions of this law, especially those related to warning customers about the fact that smoking is prohibited in enclosed public spaces.
The notifications regarding the facts provided by Law no. 15/2016 are made to the Local Police structures or to the MIA structures. The notifications are not made at the emergency number 112, this line being destined exclusively for emergencies and situations that endanger the life, integrity or goods of the people “, the quoted sources also show.
The anti-smoking law enters into force. Who has the right to fine smokers and how much
The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations also announces that it will intensify especially the prevention activities.
Border guards will be able to impose fines if during surveillance and control missions at border crossing points and on an area of 30 kilometers from the border line to the interior of the country they will find violations of the law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public spaces. The Border Police also identified areas where smoking is allowed and appointed persons from the institution responsible for compliance with the law.
The anti-smoking law, in force on Thursday
Smoking is prohibited, from March 17, in the workplace, in any playground for children, whether it is indoors or outdoors, in public transport, including taxis, in hospitals and clinics, in the educational units, as well as those intended for the protection and assistance of the child, state and private.
Also, from Thursday you can no longer smoke in central and local public institutions, institutions or economic units, public catering, tourism, commercial, cultural or sports. Smoking is also prohibited in bus stations, train stations and airports, state and private.
Persons who do not comply with the provisions of the anti-smoking law will be fined with amounts between 100 lei and 500 lei.
Companies and any other legal entity can be sanctioned if they do not comply with the new provisions prohibiting smoking in all enclosed public spaces, with a fine of 5,000 lei, for the first offense, and for a second offense, with a fine of 10,000 lei and the additional penalty of suspension of activity until remediation. At the third violation, the unit will be closed and will receive a fine of 15,000 lei.
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