Puff away, but in Mombasa it could cost you dearly

By Ngumbao Kithi

Mombasa residents and visitors to the coastal town have about 20 days to smoke freely in public.

The Municipal Council has imposed a ban on public smoking and announced a heavy penalty on the culprits.

Anyone caught contravening the by-law will part with Sh50,000 or more in fines, from September 30.

"When the ban becomes effective, a taskforce will be patrolling during the day and night. Anybody found smoking in open places will be arrested," the council’s Chief Public Health Officer Josephat Maithya said.

Mr Maithya said suspects would be taken to court and the minimum fine for those violating the by-law by smoking at undesignated public places will be Sh50,000.

The council is, however, yet to announce the designated places where people can smoke, only saying they must not smoke in enclosed places.

Maithya said instead of suspects being fined on the spot by the inspectorate department, they would be taken to court.

The law

Quoting the Tobacco Act 2007, the council notified residents that smoking at undesignated public places and private areas has been banned from September 30.

"Managers and caretakers of all designated places will be held responsible for non-compliance," Maithya said yesterday.

He said the council has tried to educate Mombasa residents about the Tobacco Act but faced a lot of interference.

"Several members of the public and retailers have refused to listen to the council on the ongoing measures to be taken when the ban becomes effective," he said.

He advised the public to stop smoking along the streets of Mombasa, lest they be in trouble when the ban becomes operational.

He said the public education programme was going on and appealed to Mombasa residents to respect by-laws.

"In some eating places, the public can smoke at designated places or else they will be arrested and charged," he warned.

 

 

Read all about: smoke Municipal Council Tobacco Act

 

 

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