Uganda signs tobacco pact
Mar 23, 2004
UGANDA has signed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003.
By Denis Ocwich
UGANDA has signed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003.
According to WHO, Uganda became the 97th country to sign the document on March 5, but was yet to ratify it.
The document, the first ever by the UN health body, is aimed at rolling back tobacco smoking globally.
Although it is yet to become effective, WHO is encouraging member countries to come up with national laws to regulate the habit.
Recently, environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire announced an immediate ban on smoking in public places.
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) spokesman Wilfred Banabakintu said banning smoking in public places was not peculiar to Uganda but a worldwide campaign.
“The regulation does not stop people from smoking. Those who smoke are free to enjoy themselves but it must be regulated,†he said.
The Environmental Action Network (TEAN), an environment lobby group, has hailed the banning of public smoking by the Government.
“Second-hand smoking kills and it is encouraging to see that the Government has acted firmly to protect the lives of non-smokers,†said Phillip Karugaba, the spokesman for TEAN.
The anti-smoking regulation followed a High Court ruling in favour of TEAN.
UGANDA has signed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003.
According to WHO, Uganda became the 97th country to sign the document on March 5, but was yet to ratify it.
The document, the first ever by the UN health body, is aimed at rolling back tobacco smoking globally.
Although it is yet to become effective, WHO is encouraging member countries to come up with national laws to regulate the habit.
Recently, environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire announced an immediate ban on smoking in public places.
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) spokesman Wilfred Banabakintu said banning smoking in public places was not peculiar to Uganda but a worldwide campaign.
“The regulation does not stop people from smoking. Those who smoke are free to enjoy themselves but it must be regulated,†he said.
The Environmental Action Network (TEAN), an environment lobby group, has hailed the banning of public smoking by the Government.
“Second-hand smoking kills and it is encouraging to see that the Government has acted firmly to protect the lives of non-smokers,†said Phillip Karugaba, the spokesman for TEAN.
The anti-smoking regulation followed a High Court ruling in favour of TEAN.