Smoking Shisha Banned in Rwanda Over Health Concerns

Rwanda has banned the importation, advertising, and smoking of Shisha within its territory over health concerns.

Aiming to prevent loss of lives due to tobacco consumption and smoking, the health ministry imposed a ban on smoking and chewing tobacco in public places.

“The Ministry of Health informs the general public that the use, advertisement, and import of waterpipe tobacco smoking known as shisha tobacco is banned on Rwandan territory effective from 15th December, 2017,” said Dr. Diane Gashumba, Minister for Health.

According to the ministry, shisha smoking is damaging, addictive and dangerous to human lives. “The smoke that emerges from a water-pipe contains numerous toxicants known to cause lung cancer, heart diseases, just to name a few.”

Other countries that have banned shisha include Tanzania, Pakistan, Jordan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia.