Police 'needs money' to sensitize public on tobacco law

KAMPALA - Police is not ready to implement the tobacco control law because they have not been given funds to sensitize the public.

The commissioner of police Godfrey Idwege says they have enough manpower and are ready to implement the law but they do not have the funds for public education.

He says the public is ignorant about the law which came into force early this year.

Meanwhile, the health ministry's national focal chairperson on tobacco control, Dr. Sheila Ndyanabangi says her ministry is fundraising to help the police do community sensitization.

"I don't think they need funds for enforcement because it is part of their regular work, but they need money for training and we are continuing to fundraise to see if we can get funds for helping to train the police.

In the meantime, she says they are developing manuals and handbooks as per police's request "because tobacco control is a new subject".

"But I said for example for public smoking, they don't need even a manual and handbook."