Anti-Smoking Bill Lingers in Parliament

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A clause forbidding smoking in public places will remain intact to mitigate illnesses caused by passive smoking as legislators continue to review the draft tobacco bill. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), passive smoking is the exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) which is a mixture of exhaled mainstream smoke and side stream smoke released from a smoldering cigarette or other smoking device and diluted with ambient air. A joint chamber of Deputies-Senatorial committee selected on June 20 is presently re-assessing a version of the draft scrutinised by the Senate.

 MP Agnes Mukazibera, the chairperson of the committee on education, technology, culture and youth, told The New Times, on Thursday, that both chambers had agreed to ban public smoking. "Smoking in places like schools, bars, hospitals ,churches, the stadiums and others will certainly not be acceptable. Instead, the proprietor (of an establishment) should make arrangements to establish a smoking area to protect non-smokers." The bill stipulates the following no-smoking zones: children's homes, places of worship, prisons, police stations and cells, offices and office buildings, court premises, factories, cinema halls, theatres, hospitals, clinics and other health institutions, restaurants, hotels, bars or other eating places.

 Smoking will also be prohibited in public service vehicles, aircrafts, commuter boats, passenger vehicles or any other public conveyance and children's education facilities. No smoking signs must be placed near bus stops, airports, air fields, and other public transport terminals, indoor markets, shopping malls and retail and other wholesale establishments. The WHO estimates that over 50 percent of children worldwide are exposed to SHS in their homes. Dr. Stephenson Musiime, a consultant Paediatrician at King Faisal Hospital, said: "Smoking, be it active or passive, has long term effects on almost all body systems, especially the heart and respiratory diseases and not forgetting different types of cancers.

It can even affect a baby before it is born." According to Dr. Musiime, the bill is vital. "The earlier it does the better for all of us," he said. Former health Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera, initially tabled the bill before the chamber of deputies in 2009, in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which Rwanda ratified in 2005. Previous studies by the health ministry suggested that over 880,000 Rwandans smoke with 58.9 per cent assuming the habit between the ages of 11 and 15. Article 8 of the WHO's FCTC, adopted by all WHO Member States in May 2003, states that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that exposure to tobacco smoke causes death, disease and disability.

Tobacco contains over 400 toxic substances and research indicates that there are over 25 related diseases affecting the lungs, the heart and blood veins. A ministry of health official in charge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Francois Habiyaremye, cited some of the smoking related illnesses that include cancer of the bladder, larynx, esophagus, mouth, throat, lungs, among others. Smoking also causes heart diseases including heart attack, coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Other smoking-related ailments are asthma, childhood respiratory ailments, cataracts, diabetes, angina, gum disease, gangrene, impotence, loss of smell and taste, osteoporosis (in women), peripheral artery disease, pneumonia, premature aging and stomach ulcers. "Smoking kills yet people fail to understand the repercussions.

You may find pleasure, relaxation and even appear cool or modern for a few moments. But, it is your life at stake. Smoking affects you in some way or the other and leads to your death before you get to live your full life," Habiyaremye warned. "Passive smoking is just as harmful as active smoking. This means that along with suicide, you are trying to commit murder. WHO estimates show that 29 per cent of our burden in Rwanda is Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and among four main common risk factors of these diseases is tobacco use. "We don't have consistent data" on the number of patients admitted in Rwandan hospitals as a result of smoking related illnesses but legislation on tobacco use would be vital on curbing the danger. "Since 2005, the Minister of Health has been using instructions to protect non-smokers and the environment against the consequences of smoking. Rwanda is experiencing a huge reduction in the number of smokers and even farmers," Habiyaremye added.

 "We have to strengthen the no tobacco campaign through the media, mobilisation, sensitisation, participation of all sectors and advocate for complete involvement of private and public institutions." According to a 2007 WHO document on protection from exposure to SHS, there is no evidence that smoke-free workplaces increases children's exposure to tobacco smoke at home. "A growing body of evidence suggests that legislation banning smoking in public places and workplaces leads to a reduction in smoking in the home.

Smoke-free workplaces are associated with a greater likelihood of workers implementing smoke-free policies in their homes," reads part of the document. The document also rejects the notion that total smoke-free environments are not enforceable. It states that unclear laws that designate square footage or percentages for non-smoking and smoking sections; prohibit smoking only during certain hours in specific establishments, and create confusion for institutions implementing the law, and for employees and customers and inspectors enforcing the law.