Zambia's government bans smoking in public places and says offenders will
be fined up to 130 US dollars or receive a two-year jail sentence. 

 LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (MARCH 29, 2008) REUTERS -
 The Zambian government on Thursday (May 29) banned smoking in public
places, and said offenders will be fined up to 400,000 Zambian Kwachas (about
130 US dollars) or jailed for a maximum of two years.
    Local Government and Housing minister, Sylvia Masebo announced the ban
which is to take effect immediately. 
    Masebo said buses, hospitals, churches or any public buildings were
non-smoking areas and she called on various sectors to identify places which
they deemed fit for smoking.
    "If you are in a public building like the hospital grounds or
indeed in a church, you will not be expected to smoke in such public places.
And so, its upon various sectors to begin to identify which places they will
designate for smoking," Masebo said.
    Masebo added she was compelled to pass the law due to a lack of
consideration by smokers of other members of the public and the hazardous
nature of second-hand smoke. 
    Many Zambians have welcomed the government's decision.
    "Myself, I am asthmatic and if somebody is smoking, maybe I am
next to somebody who is smoking, it affects me," said Tambu Changa, a
Lusaka resident.
    "If they smoke cigarettes, they pollute the environment, so it
needs to be stiff punishment on those people who smoke cigarettes," added
Kebby Kachali, another Lusaka resident.
    "I think it's up to us Zambians to take it upon ourselves to tell
people that are smoking to stop whenever they are, whenever we see them
smoking," said Mwiche Sichone, another Lusaka resident
    However, others feel the penalty fee is much too high. 
    "Because one is buying a cigarette worth 250 or 300 okay and is
fined 400,000 which is a salary of somebody," said Emmanuel Mumbi. 
    The ban comes ahead of World No Tobacco Day to be marked on May 31.