by Ngumbao Kithi

Smokers have less than 20 days to smoke freely in public places in Mombasa after which they would risk a fine of Sh50,000 or six months in prison or both.

In preparation, Mombasa Municipal Council has started working on the charges to be presented to cigarette smokers arrested for smoking in public places after September 30.

Mombasa Chief Public Health Officer, Josphat Maithya said upon expiry of September 30, smokers violating the by-law would be arrested and charged. He said despite giving the notice for the ban, it was unfortunate the council has not put up public smoking places, 16 days to the date the implementation.

Maithya said the ban on public smoking would be more effective as the courts have been given the right to implement it.

Public education

"We have moved a step further in public education and we are doing well as most people dislike public smoking," he said.

Some smokers who spoke to The Standard are unhappy with the decision to ban smoking in public places before setting aside smoking zones.

Mr Bakari Ali who has been smoking for the last three years sees the ban as criminalising smoking.

"They should first take the Government to court for allowing the manufacture and sale of cigarettes," he says.

Castle Hotel supervisor Sarah Chiku said the hotel was ready for the enforcement of the law. "We have set aside a place near the bar as the smoking zone," she said.

Mr Sameja Nassir a British tourist said it was wrong for anyone to smoke in public. He said the public places include schools, bars, hotels public service vehicles and public gatherings.

Mr Joseph Otieno complained that the council had not designated smoking zones which was unfair to the smokers.

tobacco act

On Sunday , Mombasa Town Clerk Mr Tubman Otieno said they were enforcing the Tobacco Act.

He said the Ministry of Local Government has directed the council to implement the Act in the town.

"We have already designated public parks in the town as smoking zones," he said.

The parks include Uhuru Gardens, Mama Ngina Drive and Treasury Square.

Maithya said there have been awareness campaigns targeting hotel managers and retailers on the new procedures.

He said the Mombasa Town Clerk would publish advertisements to inform the public of the ban.