Tobacco.org

Botswana moves to an almost total ban on smoking 

In a move that amounts an almost total ban, Botswana is seeking to tighten legislation to stop smoking in all private or public places, public transport and workplaces - and to restrict smoking where there are children, pregnant or lactating mothers.

Even in homes, families would have to protect children from the effects of smoking. Many public places already prohibit smoking except in designated areas. The age at which persons may purchase tobacco products or sell them would be raised to 18 years, with penalties for retailers who do not comply including fines of up to 5 000 pula or three months in jail, or both.

According to a bill in the Government Gazette dated July 6 and distributed Friday, the only seeming exclusion is a place of lodging, where the owner may designate smoking rooms provided they are physically detached from the 'non-smoking' areas.

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