Staff Reporter
Police in Kabale have apprehended 13 individuals accused of public smoking, a violation of the Tobacco Control Act 2015.
The suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, were arrested during targeted operations conducted by police, officials from the Ministry of Health’s tobacco control department, and health inspectors in Kabale district. The crackdown was prompted by numerous complaints about public smoking in various areas of Kabale and nationwide, according to Kabale District Health Officer Dr. Gilbert Arinaitwe Mateeka.
Dr. Mateeka highlighted ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health to raise awareness about the hazards of smoking and the importance of complying with the Tobacco Control Act. Despite these efforts, he noted a persistent disregard for the law among some individuals.
The 13 individuals arrested will face legal repercussions under the provisions of the Tobacco Control Act. Dr. Mateeka emphasized that this enforcement action aims to deter others from flouting the law and engaging in public smoking.
President Yoweri Museveni enacted the Tobacco Control Act in September 2015 to impose strict measures aimed at safeguarding nonsmokers from the health, social, economic, and environmental impacts of tobacco use and exposure. The Act specifies penalties including imprisonment for a minimum of one year, a fine of 420,000 shillings, or both, for offenders.
