Tobacco.org

• Bill bans public smoking in Namibia 

THE Tobacco Products Control Bill tabled by Health Minister Richard Kamwi in Parliament bans "the smoking of tobacco in a public place, any outdoor public place or any area within a certain distance of a window, ventilation inlet, door or entrance".

This means that a hotel, restaurant or coffee shop would also fall under the definition of "pubic place", although the Bill does not mention these details. As usual, regulations will be drawn up once the Bill is passed, and then public spaces will be more clearly defined. Introducing the Bill yesterday afternoon, Minister Kamwi told the House that a 2004 study undertaken in Namibia, showed that 17 per cent of school children between the ages of 10 and 12 had admitted they had a smoking experience.

"This harmful behaviour is practiced by far too many children too early in their lives and damages to their health will only become evident many years after they started smoking." Municipalities will have to appoint inspectors to monitor and enforce compliance with the law once it comes into force.

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