THE Senate has moved closer to making smoking in public places illegal.This week, the house unanimously voted in favour of the tobacco control legislation that had spent the last two years in the senate. When the bill comes into law, smokers may have the liberty to smoke but not in public or in a way that poses a danger to the rest of society. The bill was tabled in June 2010 by the former Minister of Health — now the Secretary General of the East African Community — Dr. Richard Sezibera. The bill comes at a time when many people had expressed frustration over its delay.Research conducted by the health ministry in 2010 revealed that 880,000 Rwandans smoke. 58.9% of these start smoking as young as 11 while others start at 15 during their early years in high school. Smoking has been singled out as a lead cause of lung cancer but many Rwandan youth smoke while others become addicts. Medically, smoking has grave implications for both smokers and passive non-smokers. The later are exposed to secondhand smoking.“This law shall establish modalities for controlling tobacco….so as to protect the Rwandan population’s health,” Article 1 of the bill which the Senate endorsed last week states.In initiating the bill, the government is also fulfilling international obligations, particularly the framework Convention on Tobacco Control which Rwanda ratified in 2005. When the bill was introduced in parliament in 2010, members were highly charged and called for a total ban on smoking.The law shall of course inconvenience some. Prior to the passing of the bill, reports indicated a sharp decline in tax revenues on imported tobacco to Rwf110.3 million in the first six months of this year, down from Rwf298.4 million at the same period last year. Experts warn that with the tobacco control law, the quantity of tobacco imported is likely to hit its lowest. “The law makes the whole business [smoking] a problem. At the office, you have to excuse yourself to go for a smoke…smoking areas in hangout spots are closer to toilets, its demeaning,” says an incensed chain smoker. Some active smokers who spoke to The New Times have varied views; some suspect the legislation may make them smoke more while at home while others think it may eventually help them quit the habit. And another section of non smokers thinks smoking should have been banned all together.Jeanne d’Arc Dusabeyezu a mental health professional at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, says that smoking, like any other substance use, is addictive. “Some addictions get to a level where some cannot stop by thenselves until they get professional help. To stop smoking if addicted has to be a gradual process. It’s difficult for an addict to quit abruptly,” she told The New Times in an interview.Side bar Tips to quit smoking for addictive smokers:Are you one of the more than 70% of smokers who want to quit? Then try following this advice.1. Don’t smoke any cigarettes. Each cigarette you smoke damages your lungs, your blood vessels, and cells throughout your body. Even occasional smoking is harmful.2. Write down why you want to quit. Do you want to:Feel in control of your life?Have better health?Set a good example for your children?Protect your family from breathing other people’s smoke?Really wanting to quit smoking is very important to how much success you will have in quitting.3. Know that it will take commitment and effort to quit smoking. Nearly all smokers have some feelings of nicotine withdrawal when they try to quit. Nicotine is addictive. Knowing this will help you deal with withdrawal symptoms that can occur, such as bad moods and really wanting to smoke.There are many ways smokers quit, including using nicotine replacement products (gum and patches), non-nicotine cessation medications. But there is no easy way. For most people, the worst of the symptoms only last a few days to a couple weeks. Take quitting one day at a time, even one minute at a time—whatever you need to succeed.4. Get help if you want it. Smokers can receive free resources and assistance to help them quit by consulting a professional counsellor. Concerned about weight gain? It’s a common concern, but not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. Learn ways to help you control your weight as you quit smoking.5. Remember this good news! More than half of all adult smokers have quit, and you can, too. Millions of people have learned to face life without a cigarette. Quitting smoking is the best step you can take to help stay healthy.
