Arua central police station is holding 38 suspects accused of smoking shisha, a water-pipe tobacco in violation of the Tobacco Control Act 2015. The suspects, comprising 35 men and 3 women, were apprehended during a targeted operation conducted by the police, officials from the tobacco control department in the Ministry of Health and health inspectors from Arua City over the weekend.
Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Region Police spokesperson, explained that the operation spanned bars and social venues within Swalia cell, Baruku cell, and Junior Quarters in Arua Central Division. “This time the operation targeted mainly Shisha smoking, and the arrested people included those found smoking Shisha as well as the proprietors of Shisha business”, she noted.
Angucia added that the arrested individuals would undergo screening by detectives before their cases are submitted to the Resident State Attorney for examination and legal guidance, followed by court proceedings. “The suspects are being detained at Arua Central Business Division as screening and investigations continue. Their case file is being compiled and will be forwarded to Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal advice”, Angucia said.
Meanwhile, Godfrey Apangu, the Principal Health Inspector of Arua City, praised the operation, emphasizing the concern regarding smoking in public spaces within the city. Police also seized 20 Shisha pots, 18 shisha pipes, 11 tins of Shisha ingredients, and 5 sachets of Jirack molasses during the operation.
The Tobacco Control Act, 2015, endorsed by the President on September 19, 2015, aims to safeguard non-tobacco smokers from the health, environmental, social, and economic ramifications of tobacco usage and exposure. The legislation unequivocally prohibits tobacco products such as shisha, Kubar (a smokeless tobacco often chewed), flavored tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes.
Statistics from the World Health Organization reveal that tobacco consumption causes over 8 million deaths annually worldwide, with more than Shillings 7 million being a direct result of tobacco use and approximately Shillings 1.2 million arising from non-smokers’ exposure to second-hand smoke.
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