Global action to tackle the negative health effects of smoking has reached a tipping point, researchers have claimed.
Analysing the state of opposition to smoking indoors around the world, European and American medical experts say the 2004 indoor smoking ban introduced by Ireland has led the way to a wave of other bans since then.
Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers cite bans in countries around the world including Uganda, Lithuania, Uruguay, Iran, Malta, Sweden, Iceland, South Africa, France, Hong Kong and Finland.
Howard Koh of the Harvard School of Public Health says the 21st century is witnessing a paradigm shift, once considered impossible, whereby entire countries are declaring themselves smoke-free in indoor public places. He says such mounting progress across the globe is making smoking history worldwide," Howard Koh of the Harvard School of Public Health commented.
Uganda banned smoking cigarettes in public places two years ago. However the Uganda Anti-Tobacco Forum is concerned that the National Environment Management Authority isn't doing enough to enforce the law.
The National Demographic Health Survey of 2002/2003 indicated tat 25 percent of men and three percent of women in Uganda smoke cigarettes.
