Twenty individuals have been fined by the Tobacco Control and Enforcement Unit for selling single rolls of cigarettes.
The Ministry of Health is warning the public that breaching tobacco laws carries serious penalties, such as spending time behind bars.
They say that as of last week, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, has started to execute warrants for those members of the public who have been fined for selling loose cigarettes.
The Ministry says all those individuals’ cases have been filed in the Magistrates' Criminal Court Registry.
Offenders who have paid their fines within the mandated 21 days from the date of the offence need not appear in court, as the Ministry will withdraw charges, while those who have yet to pay their fine, their case will be tried before the Magistrates' Court, and they will have the opportunity to present their evidence against the charges brought against them.
The Ministry says the fine for selling single rolls carries a fixed penalty of $1,000.
They are urging business operators and members of the public to stop selling loose cigarettes as this is prohibited under the Tobacco Control Act 2010.
The Ministry says some have been produced in court and sentenced to 100 days' imprisonment.
They say the Tobacco Control and Enforcement Unit conducts quarterly enforcement operations in collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, Municipal Council’s as well as Environmental Health Officers, who are appointed as Authorized Officers under the Tobacco Control legislations.
