Activists back prosecution of cigarette dealers

Activities have tasked government to prosecute cigarette dealers, who do not comply with the tobacco law.

The law came into force last week, after the Constitutional Court blocked a move by the British American Tobacco (BAT) to temporarily halt government's implementation of the Tobacco Control Act 2015.

Speaking to journalists during a press conference in Kampala, Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi, the national tobacco control focal person in the health ministry also warned the Police against soliciting bribes from cigarette dealers, saying they also risk prosecution.

"If Police connives with those people and refuse to arraign them in court, they will also face prosecution because they would be derailing the law," she said. 

She said Government spends over sh1.8b in treating tobacco- related diseases every year.

"The cost of treating a patient with tobacco-related cancer is at a minimum of sh6m, as the cost of chemotherapy for six cycles which can escalate in the event that it recurs even to the second consumer," Ndyanabangi said.