RABAT, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan government approved on Thursday a new draft law on tightening the country's ban on the production, import, sale and distribution of plastic bags across the North African kingdom.

Since July 2016, Morocco has been enforcing a ban on plastic bags nationwide.

While the production and sale of plastic bags have significantly been reduced, they are still in use across the country.

The bill aims to establish a solid and flexible legal arsenal to get rid of plastic bags, said government spokesman Mustapha El Khalfi at a press briefing.

It contains new articles defining the tasks of control officers with regard to inspection, seizure, and observation, he said.

The new law also imposes tougher penalties and deprives offenders of mitigating circumstances, he added.