Authorities in Kisoro Municipality are sounding the alarm over the rising incidence of public smoking, including cigarettes and marijuana, which they say is endangering public health and creating a potential fire hazard.
The warning follows multiple reports from residents about people smoking openly along Kivengeri Street, the slums of Rasha, the Mayor’s Garden, and, alarmingly, along the Kisoro–Bunagana main road. Officials have raised concerns that the practice not only exposes non-smokers to harmful secondhand smoke but also presents a fire risk, especially near petrol stations and vehicles.
Public smoking, particularly in crowded areas, exposes non-smokers to secondhand smoke, which contains thousands of toxic chemicals linked to serious health issues such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. This is particularly concerning for children and vulnerable individuals in the community.
Kisoro Municipality Health Inspector, Acar Moses, strongly condemned the practice, saying it is adversely affecting the health of innocent residents. “We have received numerous reports of individuals using the Kisoro–Bunagana road as a smoking zone,” he said. “This not only puts people’s health at risk but also damages public spaces.”
Acar further pointed out that smoking has been damaging the municipality’s green spaces, with flowers and parks being misused as smoking hideouts. He warned that legal measures would be enforced to combat the vice and address the issue of addiction.
Daudi Line, the LC1 Chairperson of Karumena Village, Central Ward, also condemned public smoking and urged individuals to avoid smoking in public spaces. He specifically criticized parents who permit their homes to be used as smoking dens, warning that such practices put children at risk of early addiction.
In line with the Uganda Tobacco Control Act, 2015, smoking in public places is strictly prohibited. The law also regulates tobacco advertising, promotion, and sales, alongside product packaging. Anyone found violating the law faces a fine of up to UGX 200,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
