The Standard September 14, 2009
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 Ksh. 50,000 or six months in prison or both.
In preparations, Mombasa municipal council has started working on the charges to presented to cigarette smokers arrested 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 had not put up public smoking places, 16 days to the  date of 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 p[laces before setting aside smoking zones.
Mr. Bakari Ali who has been smoking for the last three years sees the ban as criminalizing 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 a side a place near the bar as a smoking zone,” she said
Mr. Sameja Nassir a British tourist said it was wrong for any one to smoke in public. He said the public places include schools, bars, hotels and public service vehicles and

public gatherings.
Mr. Josphen Otieno complained that the council had not designated smoking zones which was unfair to the smokers.
              
                  TOBACCO ACT
Yesterday 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 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.

Additional reporting by Patrick Beja and Willis Oketch