Non Shisha-smokers are breathing a smoke-free sigh of relief after Kenya joined regional countries in banning the sale of shisha locally
By Mike Mwaniki
The revelers are claiming victory against second hand smoke wafting into their lungs from shisha parlors. Health Ministry Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Cleopa Mailu made the landmark announcement in a special edition of the Kenya Gazette dated December 28.
The move immediately sent shockwaves among shisha lovers, a majority who happen to be young urbane revelers including female university students amongst others and the proprietors of restaurants and night clubs who were making a fortune from the water-pipe tobacco.
An employee of a popular night club within the Central Business District (CBD), who sought anonymity revealed the club, was on average raking in Sh60, 000 each night before the ban was imposed. Dr Mailu, in the Gazette notice banned the importation, manufacture, advertising and sale of the product in Kenya.
The notice reads: “No person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, use, advertise, promote, facilitate or encourage shisha smoking in Kenya,” It warns that anyone found contravening the rules will be “liable to a fine not exceeding Sh50, 000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.”
“If the offence is of a continuing nature, a further fine not exceeding Sh1, 000 for each day it continues will be imposed,” he added. Kenya now becomes the fourth East African country to ban shisha smoking after Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Other countries which have outlawed it are Pakistan, Jordan, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
