Public Smoking Now Banned in Sierra Leone! Fines and Jail Time for Violators

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation had ban public smoking in the country.

It is said that public smoking in every part of the country is now unlawful and defaulters liable to fined or imprisoned.

The ban followed the enactment of the Tobacco and Nicotine Act in 2022 which goal is to protect the public against the harmful effects of tobacco.

According to Dr. Santigie Sesay, Director of the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases, though Tobacco is a legal product but one’s right to smoke should not put another’s health at risk, stating that in Sierra Leone, Tobacco use is a major public concern in which 18% of men and 3% of women aged 15-49 years estimated to be Tobacco users, despite increased awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco.

While giving the impact of tobacco smoking, Dr. Sesay said that tobacco kills half of all its users, emphasizing that tobacco is the leading cause of cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes, adding that it it’s a motivating factor for infertility, miscarriage, bad breath and high blood pressure. “Globally, tobacco causes over 2 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases each year and 1 in 10-heart disease deaths are linked to tobacco while second-hand smoking accounts for 900 thousand premature deaths each year”. Said Dr. Sesay.

“The tobacco and nicotine Act is part of a broader strategy to regulate tobacco in the country thereby protecting the public to the risks and exposure to tobacco, including minors, non-smokers as well as pregnant women,” he continued that they are not trying to get people jailed, but to ensure public health and safety for all and the country stands to accrued billions of Leones from tobacco taxation alone.

Talking on the popularization of the tobacco and nicotine Act, Dr. Sesay said that they are in the process of setting the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Council which will drive the popularization of the Act in collaboration with stakeholders at a level.

The NCD Director concluded by calling all stakeholders for a concerted efforts to promote the risks and harmful effects of tobacco consumption as well as the Tobacco and Nicotine Act through awareness raising at every level.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

Foday M L Sheriff | 2024-09-16 10:36:14

Congratulations to GoSL. The initiative is good, but let GoSL also stop the importation of tobacco, and other harmful drugs.
| 2024-09-15 12:13:22

Gr8 move But pls does anyone see what will happen. I mean what's the panelty?
| 2024-09-15 11:12:01

What is the essence of thanking government? This is all a form distractions, government has done nothing about smoking in SL if truly government want to Ban public smoking they should ban all the importation of tobacco and some dangerous drugs. I know they will not do such because all they Care is about their Tax rather than the health of their citizens. There is no need thanking government or any sector. Ban the importation of tobacco and Dangerous drugs Because that's the simplest way to ban public smoking. No Tobacco no public smoking. By doing so we the citizens of SL will celebrate and congratulate our government Thank you a concern citizen Sillah sheriff Sesay
| 2024-09-15 11:05:12

Congratulations to government we pray that it works
| 2024-09-15 10:57:17

What is the jail term and the fine attached to to it?
| 2024-09-15 09:47:53

Why always this government officials don't take on a move which will benefit the people of this country they're only came up with a useless laws against their own citizens do you know the amount of government officials that notorious smokers this is not our problem sir hunger is killing your people in the country.
| 2024-09-15 09:46:00

Congratulations to our government I love to hear good words like those ones, through that, we may be able to tackle kush smoking But make sure the police enforce the law for not to use their digressions to benefit themselves.
| 2024-09-15 09:39:25

It will be fine, if only they take it serious.
| 2024-09-15 09:30:56

Yesterday people were smoking in the streets. Let it be on radios and community levels.
| 2024-09-13 10:08:20

This will be a great news for us the residents of the country, if only it is put to reality. Public smoking has become a normal thing in Sierra Leone, and it is scary for us non-smokers. Sierra Leone is slowly turning to Jamaica, you will see people confidentially smoking in public places without any iota of respect for non-smokers around them. They are feeling comfortable with the act. I pray this ban is enforced!
Wilson M Sellu | 2024-09-13 08:18:26

This is a great move towards the safeguarding of the public health. Concurrently, once the trade of tobacco and narcotics are still one of the government's revenue sources, the act should make room for the demarcation of smoking areas in public places and sensitize the public accordingly before enforcement.
| 2024-09-13 07:18:26

Congratulations GOSL....The move doesn't only limit smokers but also prevent the nonsmokers
| 2024-09-13 03:16:41

Good moved by the government.
| 2024-09-13 02:45:36

In the article,there wae no time indicated when the band will take effect. and also I had never heard any kind of public sensitization or discussions through radio or Tv to inform citizens about the band.What a crazy county.
| 2024-09-12 23:56:32

Congratulations to the government of Sierra Leone for the bold step. And again,what is the punishment if you are caught smoking in a public place?
| 2024-09-12 21:40:15

This is a huge relief for non-smokers, and should be of immense assistance and benefit to smokers. Congratulations to our government. However, while we know about the risks and dangers of smoking, the public will need more information about the new non-smoking environment. Will the smokers' room at the airport be closed for good? The dedicated spaces for smokers in some restaurants also? Hotels, if there was any such privilege? How about vaping and hubbly-bubblies - the middle eastern delight? All of this must be spelt out. Public information and discussiins on the ruling to enlighten the masses, are critical. Great news, once again
| 2024-09-12 21:24:55

I only hope Govt would create smoking boots for smokers. The law is fine, but smokers should also be catered for, at least that’s what happening in advance countries
Zainab Mikgustin | 2024-09-12 20:28:16

Tabasco smoking is common everywhere in the world publicly,
| 2024-09-12 20:25:04

Thanks to the Government of Sierra Leone. I pray it work, because implementation of law matters not just to make laws.
| 2024-09-12 20:00:58

Thank you so much u are doing well
| 2024-09-12 19:58:53

Thanks 🙏 to the government for this step 🪜 that they have taken...to stop public smoking is very very good...it is left with the police officers to do their work to make sure it works...
| 2024-09-12 19:05:29

Please let the low enforcement body don't make it a money making. But to treat it with utmost seriousness for who so ever found of public smoking should be punished.
| 2024-09-12 18:34:09

Thanks to the government for this move. We must all put hands on deck to make sure it works.
| 2024-09-12 18:33:20

Congratulations to the government of Sierra Leone for taking the commendable step to ban public smoking! This is indeed a positive stride toward safeguarding public health. Implementing such an act will require comprehensive awareness campaigns and strict enforcement to ensure compliance. However, it would be beneficial if provisions for alternatives, such as designated safe smoking areas, were considered to support a smoother transition and adherence to the new regulations. Does the act include any such provisions for safe smoking spaces?
| 2024-09-12 18:07:30

No one in their right senses would support smoking which we all know is hazardous to one's health. However, the public should be given enough consultation and sensitisation on the need for people to respect others who don't smoke especially in public. The question which everyone is asking is that, was there any discussion on this in parliament and when was this held? What mechanism was put in place to sensitise members of the public and when the ban would take effect? In the UK, there is currently a debate in parliament about smoking in public places including restaurants and pubs open spaces. And they are now working on it to give ample time to smokers who are opposed to this to prepare their minds until 2027 when the ban would take effect once they agree! In Sierra Leone, this is the opposite. I'm sure they want to copy the UK way of doing things but there are NO visionary, progressive and democratic leaders who respect the choice of people. What a crazy country where people behave as if they live in a jungle!
| 2024-09-12 16:13:09

Thanks to the government for this I hope it works
| 2024-09-12 16:10:52

I just hope this will hold this time around. Because public smoking is very common in Sierra Leone.
| 2024-09-12 16:08:25

Good measure taken by Government to tackle the problem
| 2024-09-12 16:04:35

Congratulations to government we hope and pray that it works