The full enforcement of Tobacco Order 2005 and Tobacco Laws 2007 has begun today, 1st June 2008. The order and the law rule that the import or sale of cigarette packs which contained less than 20 cigratte sticks will be prohibited. Failure to comply with this rule would result in a fine of B$10,000 or six months of imprisonment.
The use of cigarette pack dispensing machines was also forbidden since these machines did not monitor the sales of such products. Goods which imitated tobacco products such as 'cigarette' sweets can no longer be sold at any retail outlets.
Advertisements of tobacco products in any form, such as ashtrays or posters which contained brand names of these products was also made illegal, and they are ought to be removed. Retailers would have to ask for the consumers to produce their identification upon purchasing tobacco products as these products cannot be sold to those under the age of 18.
Vendors would be liable to a fine of $5,000 for violation of the Tobacco Order and the minor purchasing of the product could be fined at $10,000 or serve a six month jail.
A licence is made compulsory for the import and sale of tobacco products under the Tobacco Laws 2007, and only provision shops and supermarkets are issued with the license. The licence for the Tutong district will be issued on the 1st of September, alongside with Belait district and Temburong district.
An annual fee of $2500 was required to attain the license. Any violation of the Tobacco Order 2005 or the Tobacco Laws 2007 would result in the suspension or cancellation of the retailer's or importer's licence.
The licence also had to be displayed in an appropriate location in the shop where it is visible. The licence holder has also to display an anti-smoking sign within the facilities. The sign had to follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health. According to the terms of licence, only one pack of each cigarette brand was allowed to be displayed in the store.
(adapted from The Brunei Times, http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2008/05/16/vendors_briefed_on_new_tobacco_order_rules)
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