Tobacco Control Bill, 2014 tabled before Parliament

The long awaited Tobacco Control Bill, 2014 has been tabled before Parliament for the second reading giving powers to Ministry of health to be responsible for the implementation of the law. Chairperson of health Committee Medard Bitekyerenzo while presenting the report to Parliament said as was earlier proposed that the office of the Prime Minister shall be responsible for the implementation of the law now the Committee recommends that Ministry of Health shall be the implementer of the law.

The Committee further recommends that the Director General health Services shall head the Tobacco control Committee comprising of 9 members and will be mandated to see that the law is put to use in order to save the lives of Ugandans who are non-smokers.

The mover of this private member’s, Bill who is the Shema Woman MP Rose Nyakikogoro, called on members to overwhelmingly support the bill into an Act saying Tobacco has engaged the young generation in doing all the work during Tobacco growing seasons and have missed out on Education.

She said there is need for Parliament to look at Health issues that are affecting the generation as one way of controlling it.

The Tobacco control Bill 2014 seeks to protect the right to health and the right to life as fundamental human rights.