Tanzania: Call for Firm Action Against Public Smoking

Source from:  All-Africa.com  04/18/2013

SOME Members of the House of Representatives have blamed the government for not being firm in implementing laws which prohibit smoking in public places.

Backbenchers led by Mr Saleh Nassor Juma (CUF-Wawi) said that despite the House approving's　the Public and Environment Health Act' last year no changes have been witnessed as far as smoking is concerned.

"The President assented the law six months ago, why are there delays to enforce it. Smoking is dangerous even to non-smokers who may inhale smoke from smoking persons.

We want the government to act," said the legislators. In response to the concerns, the Minister of State (Environment), Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji, said that her office in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is conducting public awareness campaigns before enforcing the law.

"We also need to identify and announce all non smoking areas in the Islands before implementing the law," said Fereji to the dissatisfaction of lawmakers who continued to demand for quick action. Enditem