DILI, 31 may 2023 (TATOLI) – The National Alliance for Tobacco Control in Timor-Leste (ANCT-TL) calls on relevant authorities to take the enforcement of tobacco control laws seriously to ensure that smoking is prohibited in enclosed public places, workplaces, and public transportation.
NACT-TL manager Sancho Belito Fernandes said that since its introduction in 2016, the Timor-Leste Tobacco Control Regime has not been implemented in a very serious manner by the authorities.
“We want the Government to be serious about enforcing the tobacco control laws to regulate smoking in enclosed public places in the country.
For example, today, you can still see people smoking freely in enclosed public places, workplaces, and public transportation,” Fernandes told TATOLI at his office, in Dili, on wednesday.
He said it was sad to see people continuing to violate tobacco control laws: “Raising people’s awareness of the tobacco control laws has been carried out in Dili and all municipalities. Of course, many know the law, but they continue to smoke in public places and on public transport, but the authorities have not taken serious measures, for example, fining them, etc.”
Fernandes stressed that the government needs to redefine its approach to the enforcement of the laws.
“In order to enforce the law, the government must first establish a National Tobacco Control Council (CNCT). This is an inter-ministerial team that will be responsible for implementing tobacco control measures to combat smoking in Timor-Leste,” he said.
Fernandes emphasized that the NCTC will strengthen the work of the Economic, Health and Food Activities Inspection Authority (AIFAESA), the Health Inspection of the Ministry of Health, the Timorese National Police (PNTL), and Timor-Leste Customs on the implementation of tobacco control laws.
In addition, Fernandes said that due to the lack of control by the authorities, the illicit cigarette trade continues to take place in the country: “Proper enforcement of the laws is essential to combat the trade and the tobacco use.
According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), Timor-Leste 2019, with nearly 70% of adult males smoking cigarettes and 27% of adult females using some form of smokeless tobacco, Timor-Leste is one of the countries with the highest tobacco use rates in the world. The prevalence of tobacco is also high among adolescents in the country.
Timor-Leste became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on March 22, 2005.
With the introduction of the tobacco control regime in 2016, smoking is prohibited in many indoor public places, workplaces, and on public transportation, but is permitted in designated smoking areas in certain places, including airports, government facilities, and boats intended for transportation of passengers.
The law banned different types of tobacco advertising and promotion, with exceptions for point-of-sale product display.
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products to minors of the age of 17 and banned minors of the age of 17 from selling tobacco.
The law is also prohibited to sell, import or advertise of any electronic devices for smoking, known as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-ciggy, and e-cigar, among other names, especially those claiming to be a substitute for the habit of smoking cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipes or the like, or are used as an alternative in the treatment of tobacco addiction.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
