NCAS: Tobacco Bill seeks to regulate, not ban vaping & smoking
The National Council Against Smoking says the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill seeks to regulate - and not ban - vaping and smoking cigarettes.
Recently, the Department of Health once again presented the bill to Parliament’s health committee, seeking to implement stricter laws on smokers and tobacco product sellers.
The bill seeks to introduce some changes, such as a ban on the display of tobacco products at points of sale and the introduction of smoke-free areas in indoor public places and certain outdoor areas.
It will also impose strict regulations on vaping, aligning it with cigarette laws.
It also seeks to introduce specific interventions and harsh penalties, including jail time for those who violate the law by either smoking indoors or near non-smokers.
The council’s Deputy Director, Dr Sharon Nyatsanza, said the law will ensure that everyone’s rights are protected.
“The National Council Against Smoking supports the Tobacco Control Bill, particularly regulating e-cigarettes and cigarettes under one law which has happened all over the world.
“This is a balanced approach, ensuring that adults can still access and children are being protected. So this means that in public transport and public spaces, you will not be allowed to vape or smoke.
“The penalty section leaves a lot of discretion to the courts to consider many factors, including if someone is a first-time offender. So, the law is not banning vaping. It’s making sure that people use vaping in a regulated context.”
The Department of Health has said it believes there is an urgent need for new legislation to regulate tobacco products due to loopholes in the current law.
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