Eleneus Akanga
17 July 2006
Kigali — The Minister of Health, Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo has blamed Parliament for the delay in effecting the ban on public smoking.
"Our considerations could not come into practice because the law governing public smoking in the country has to be debated in Parliament and included in the Official Gazette before being enforced," the Minister told The New Times recently, adding however, that he was optimistic the law would soon be enacted.
Ntawukuriryayo also stressed that his Ministry had put in place the requisite conditions aimed at ending public smoking.
In September last year, Ntawukuriryayo warned people against smoking in public places. He argued that his decision was in line with the regulations laid down by the World Health Organization, to which Rwanda is signatory.
But observers say that the warning was disregarded by many smokers, ostensibly because the decree carried no penalties or punishments.
Available global statistics from Tobacco.org indicates that smoking kills five million people worldwide each year and, according to the Minister, a countrywide smoking ban in public places will help reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths in Rwanda.
"Our motive still remains intact, public smoking must stop. The only hindrance has been that the law is yet to be debated in Parliament. We are expectant that it will be debated very soon and included in the Gazette. That is when we shall be able to put into force all the penalties," he said.
The Minister also stressed that the delay in the promulgation of the law does not imply that his ministry has relaxed its anti-public smoking campaign.
"We have continued to do our best to educate masses about the dangers of smoking. We have had talk shows on both radio and television, all aimed at explaining the exact dangers associated with tobacco consumption and we will continue to do the same," Ntawukuriryayo emphasised.
According to the Minister, the proposed Law provides for a number of penalties and punishments that include suspension and closure of errant tobacco companies.
Ntawukuriryayo explained that his ministry in conjunction with the Commerce and Finance ministries had designed a policy that is both protective and economically viable before formulating the law.
"Anyone found smoking in offices, bus stations, airports and sports venues faces a fine of between 20,000 to 100,000 Francs. Anyone caught selling cigarettes in places like hospitals and other places where cigarettes are not supposed to be sold from will pay between 1000 to 10,000 Francs. There are also serious charges for tobacco companies that will not comply with the set regulations, with the penalties entailing closure," the minister said.
Some hard-line smokers who this reporter talked to described the proposed public smoking penalties as unrealistic.
I don't think the Minister is being fair to us and the country. He should look at the amount of revenue government scoops from the cigarette manufacturers. I have a feeling these policies may not become feasible. Besides, which places are public and which ones are not?" wondered a Kigali resident who said he has smoked since he was seven.
Throughout the world, the ban on public smoking seems to be gaining momentum. Uganda and Tanzania have already banned smoking in public places and in Kenya, the ban on public smoking appears to be on the verge of being sealed.
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