More than 1,800 fines have been issued to people caught breaking smoking laws across Malta over the past four years.A total of 1,847 contraventions were issued between January 2022 and the end of September 2026.During the same period, authorities carried out more than 32,000 inspections to ensure compliance with smoking regulations.But where exactly is smoking prohibited in Malta?Under Maltese law, smoking is banned in several public places, including enclosed restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shopping centres, workplaces, schools and public transport.Smoking is also prohibited in children’s playgrounds and inside private vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present.More recently, smoking restrictions were introduced at Golden Bay and Ramla l-Ħamra in Gozo, where smoking is only permitted in designated areas.However, smoking is not automatically prohibited in every outdoor public space, meaning certain outdoor areas may still allow it.The majority of the 1,847 contraventions were issued by the Malta Police Force, with others handed out by LESA officers and officials from the Environmental Health Directorate.The official figures do not specify which particular smoking offences led to the fines.Do you think Malta’s smoking laws are being enforced enough?•