Summary:
- Ten individuals were arrested in Kabale Municipality for smoking in public during an operation led by health officials and the police, violating the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.
Kabale District | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Ten individuals were apprehended in Kabale for smoking in public during a Sunday operation led by Patience Mutetsi, an official from the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Control Program, along with Gilbert Mateeka, Kabale District Health Officer, Andrew Beija, Kabale Municipality Health Inspector, and the police.
The operation covered areas such as Kigongi, Keita, Nkunda, Rwakarara, and Bugongi. Seven people were caught smoking in public, while three were arrested for openly selling cigarettes. Mutetsi emphasized that despite the law permitting smoking only 50 meters away from public spaces, investigations revealed non-compliance in Kabale, putting the arrested individuals at risk of fines.
Dr. Gilbert Mateeka, Kabale District Health Officer, stated that efforts are underway to educate the public about the dangers of smoking in public places. According to Article 12 of the Tobacco Control Act enacted in 2015, smoking is prohibited in public areas, public transport, and outdoor spaces. Offenders may face a fine of 20 currency points or a minimum 6-month jail sentence as stipulated by a competent court. The law aims to safeguard the environment from tobacco-related effects and reduce associated deaths.
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