30 April, 2007 - More than two years after the nationwide ban on the sale of tobacco products and smoking in public places, a legislation on tobacco control is finally being prepared to give the ban a legal backing.
“The ban has been there but only through notifications and warnings serving as a deterrent but there was no specific legal backing to penalise or fine people breaking the ban,” said the consultant from Myanmar, Dr. Nyo Nyo Kyaing who was recruited with World Health Organisation (WHO) assistance to work on the tobacco legislation for Bhutan. “There has to be a legislation for the ban to be effective because it is important to make clear all the offences and the penalties.”
According to Dr. Nyo Nyo Kyaing, a draft tobacco legislation has been prepared through consultation with some of the relevant representatives and has to be further discussed to fit the Bhutanese context.
One of the main reasons for having a tobacco legislation is that Bhutan is a party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), according to the joint director of the health ministry’s Information and Communication Bureau, Sonam Phuntsho. “As per the obligations outlined within the FCTC, we are required to develop a comprehensive legislation on tobacco control,” he said. “The legislation will further help prevent sale and restrict consumption of tobacco and tobacco products.”
Sonam Phuntsho said that there has been no study conducted on the rate of consumption after the ban but health officials know that the consumption has decreased.
He also said that the enforcement of the ban has not been up to the mark in terms of human resource. “The legislation will therefore assist in formation of a tobacco control unit to execute measures for tobacco control and spell out functions and duties of the members,” said Sonam Phuntsho.
The first discussion on the draft legislation was held in Thimphu at the ministry of health conference room yesterday with representatives from 12 to 13 different agencies.
“Effective measures against the sale of tobacco products and measures to reduce demand for tobacco require cooperation from various enforcement agencies in the country,” said Dr. Nyo Nyo at the discussion.
The draft will be presented to the national steering committee on tobacco control on May 4 and make changes wherever required, according to the joint director. The draft will also be presented in a larger forum for more participation. “It is for the people and we need their views and participation,” said Sonam Phuntsho.
By Phuntsho Choden
phuntshochoden@kuensel.com.bt
