By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Ministry of Health through its department of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) on November 12, 2024 trained Entebbe based journalists on the Law regarding tobacco supply and consumption plus the dangers associated with consumption of tobacco.
Dr. Hafsa Lukwata Sentongo, the Assistant Commissioner in-charge of mental health and control of substance abuse as well as the National Tobacco control Focal person at the Ministry of Health, acknowledges that smoking in public places like bars and government buildings has significantly reduced but a lot of sensitization is needed to sensitize bar managers and local government officials who have made it habit to smoke within the district or sub-county premises.
She implored journalists to do the needful to create awareness on the Tobacco Control Act 2015 which prohibits smoking in public places.
She revealed that cigarette smoking among men and the youths increased while on the side of women it reduced. She adds that many smokers have suffered from heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Dr. Hafsa observed that the consumption of tobacco has declined in high income countries whereas in low and middle income it has increased. She revealed that between 2016-2024 tobacco consumption reduced by 16.3% but as a government they intend to reduce it by 30% in 2033.
The Legal officer at Uganda National Health Consumers Organization (UNHCO) Moses Kalibita says the enactment of Tobacco Control Act 2015 was intended to:
- To control the supply of tobacco and its product to the population
- To protect the environment from the effects of tobacco production and consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke
- To promote health of persons and reduce tobacco related illnesses and deaths
- To protect persons from socio-economic effects of tobacco production and consumption.
- To promote research , surveillance and exchange of information on tobacco consumption
- To insulate tobacco control policies, laws and programmes from interference by the tobacco industry.
- To strengthen coordination , partnerships and collaboration for tobacco control
- To establish the Tobacco Control committee.
He explained that the Tobacco Control Act 2025 provides that:
- Every person has a right to a tobacco free environment
- Its prohibited to smoke in a public place, workplace, or any means of public transport and any place that provides services for children and whoever violates this pays a fine of Shs 200,000 or jailed for 5months
- Its prohibited to smoke in an outdoor place within 50 meters of any window ,door, waiting area or place of service for food or drink and the offender pays a fine of Shs. 200,000 or jailed for 5months .
- The law comprehensively bans all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and if found culpable you pay a fine between 480,000 -20m or jailed for not less than one year or you serve both.
- A person shall not employ or involve a minor (under 21 years) in any other tobacco related activity and in case one violates this provision pays a fine of Shs.200, 000 or jailed for a year or serve both.
- The law bans sale of tobacco products by vending machine , delivery , mail order , via internet , sale of single cigarette sticks and cigarette packets that are not intact and if found guilty you pay a fine between Shs.480,000 -20 million or imprisonment for not less than one year or both.
