Public smoking is on the rise, and Sierra Leoneans, young and old, are getting sick and dying.
Here is a true story: the driver of a fully packed five-seater commercial minibus (commonly known as poda-poda) pulls out a cigarette, lights it, steering with one hand while smoking with the other. This particular trip was from Bombay Street, Freetown, to Waterloo in the outskirts.
But the journey is soon marred by the discomfort of passengers as the smoke the driver blows out the door wafts its way back into the inner chambers of the packed bus.
An elderly woman angrily raises her voice: “Mr. Driver, do you know that smoking in public places is an offense in Sierra Leone?” Another passenger chimes in, “I hate what you’re doing.”
The driver, growing visibly irritated, fires back: “I have a right to smoke. It’s the law.”
The argument escalates, with the driver insisting that his minibus is not a public place, daring the passengers to alight if they feel so uncomfortable.
In another incident, a smoker casually dismissed a concerned passenger, asking, “Are you a police officer?”
THE LAW’S LOOPHOLES
Despite the law against public smoking and the dangers of tobacco use, public smoking in Sierra Leone remains a pressing health concern. The Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act 2022 clearly prohibits smoking or using electronic nicotine delivery systems in public places such as commercial vehicles, offices, court buildings, factories, hospitals, markets and restaurants. Violators face fines exceeding Le 1 million or imprisonment of not less than six months.
However, enforcement is lax; individuals smoke in most public places with impunity. The disconnect between legislation and action underscores the need for robust enforcement mechanisms to address the issue.
According to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s Directorate of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, approximately 955,000 adults and 4,000 children in Sierra Leone use tobacco products annually. Tobacco use kills 3,300 Sierra Leoneans each year, with 900 of these deaths linked to exposure to secondhand smoke— meaning non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke.
Tobacco use also costs the national health system Le108 billion, the directorate reported.
Dr. Santigie Sesay, Director of the Directorate, highlights the link between tobacco use and diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular issues and reproductive health problems. Between 2016 and 2018 alone, Sierra Leone recorded 4,125 new cancer cases, with 3,002 resulting in death.
Tobacco toxins cause serious damage to blood vessels, narrowing the flow of blood to vital parts of the heart, Dr. Sesay said, adding that they also cause bleeding during pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, early menopause, increased menstrual disorders and erectile dysfunction in men.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
High tobacco use is not just a Sierra Leonean problem. The World Health Organization’s 2024 report on tobacco notes that more than 8 million people die globally from tobacco-related causes each year, with the majority of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Additionally, tobacco use negatively impacts the environment, a concern raised by Edward S. Kemoh, National Coordinator of Youths in Action for Climate Change.
“Passing a law to prohibit public smoking shows the government’s commitment to both public health and environmental protection. Smoking has always been one of the problems posing serious threat to the environment,” Kemoh maintained.
However, he stressed the importance of community-level enforcement to drive compliance. “The enforcement of the law should be taken to community level where those laws are frequently violated,” maintains Mr. Kemoh, and insisted that people need to see “an example of law enforcement to understand that the government means business.”
The lack of enforcement leaves smokers emboldened, with many interpreting public smoking regulations differently. For instance, Kadiatu Turay, a fishmonger at Tombo Park Market, justifies her smoking, saying, “They need to ban the public selling of cigarettes first. I smoke because handling raw fish all day leaves me nauseated. Anything that is sold in public can be used in public.”
THE WAY FORWARD
There has clearly not been a visible enforcement of the law against public smoking, which is why smokers tend to act with impunity. Successful implementation of a public smoking ban requires careful planning and consideration of various factors.
Legal experts generally agree, arguing that the challenge lies not in drafting laws but in enforcing them effectively.
They believe the government needs to prioritize visible enforcement, conduct widespread public awareness campaigns and engage community leaders and businesses in discussions. In addition, establishing designated smoking areas could offer smokers an alternative while protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke.
There is a need to establish clear guidelines for enforcement and a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to gauge success over a given period, experts say.
Until these measures are taken, public smoking will likely continue to spark conflicts between drivers and passengers, as well as among other groups, with serious implications for public health and safety. It is time for relevant government authorities to step in and ensure the enforcement of the law.
