Zambia has introduced new legislation banning smoking in public places which could see offenders face up to two years in jail, the government announced on Thursday.
Local Government Minister Sylvia Masebo said the new statutory instrument (SI), which has been gazetted, bans smoking in public places with immediate effect.
“I have been compelled to issue the above SI due to the continued smoking in public places by persons that have no regard for the comfort of others,” Masebo said in a statement.
“Whoever will contravene this regulation will commit an offence upon conviction to a fine or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.”
Masebo said the government had decided to introduce such stiff penalties for smokers because of the “hazardous nature to non-smokers who were forced to be passive smokers”.
Masebo said designated smoking areas will be introduced. Some have criticised the law for being too harsh as there are currently no designated smoking areas in public places such as offices, shopping malls and on public transport. – AFP