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The controversial smoking ban that is to come into force on 5 October will soon end up in court after the GRTU yesterday said it would be filing judicial proceedings asking the Civil Court to confirm that the Ministry of Health reneged on its agreement with the retailers’ representative.
The GRTU maintained that the Ministry of Health, the promoter of the smoking ban in public places, did not live up to the agreement it had entered with the GRTU back in April when the controversy broke out for the first time.
Government had postponed the introduction of the ban by six months for establishments larger than 60 square metres and by one year for smaller outlets. Health Ministry officials and GRTU representatives had engaged in discussions along with the Malta Standards Authority. The GRTU however, pulled out of the committee when it realised that its demands would not be met.
Entertainment establishments and bar owners argue that smoking should be allowed in outlets as long as air purifiers are installed. However, technical criteria for clean air, specified by the Standards Authority make it impossible for such an arrangement to be reached.
The solution provided by the law is for the creation of specifically designed and segregated smoking rooms within establishments, a position the GRTU is wholeheartedly opposing.
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