Smokers in public places to be fined sh100,000
Sep 26, 2003
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has proposed tough anti-smoking regulations to counter smoking in public places
By Richard Komakech
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has proposed tough anti-smoking regulations to counter smoking in public places, following a High court ruling that smoking violates non-smokers’ rights to a clean environment.
Under the draft regulations, The National Environment (Prohibiting of Smoking in Public Places) Regulations 2003, offending smokers will have to pay fines of up to sh100,000.
The regulations impose a sh300,000 fine on owners of public places who permits smoking within their premises.
The law defines smoking as inhaling, exhaling or handling a lit tobacco product.
The owners of the public places may have their operating licences cancelled when found to be in contravention of the law.
Areas designated as public places include offices and corridors, lounges, eating areas, reception areas, elevators, escalators, stairwells, restrooms and amenity areas.
Others are court buildings, factories, health institutions, educational institutions, public transportation, bars and restaurants, cinemas, shopping malls and sports stadia among others.
The regulations were unveiled at a stakeholders’ dialogue recently.
NEMA executive director Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha said the new regulation would help prevent the effect of second hand smoke to non smokers and the public.
However, tobacco giant, BAT said the law was “draconian and tantamount to a total ban on smoking.â€
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has proposed tough anti-smoking regulations to counter smoking in public places, following a High court ruling that smoking violates non-smokers’ rights to a clean environment.
Under the draft regulations, The National Environment (Prohibiting of Smoking in Public Places) Regulations 2003, offending smokers will have to pay fines of up to sh100,000.
The regulations impose a sh300,000 fine on owners of public places who permits smoking within their premises.
The law defines smoking as inhaling, exhaling or handling a lit tobacco product.
The owners of the public places may have their operating licences cancelled when found to be in contravention of the law.
Areas designated as public places include offices and corridors, lounges, eating areas, reception areas, elevators, escalators, stairwells, restrooms and amenity areas.
Others are court buildings, factories, health institutions, educational institutions, public transportation, bars and restaurants, cinemas, shopping malls and sports stadia among others.
The regulations were unveiled at a stakeholders’ dialogue recently.
NEMA executive director Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha said the new regulation would help prevent the effect of second hand smoke to non smokers and the public.
However, tobacco giant, BAT said the law was “draconian and tantamount to a total ban on smoking.â€