Ministry of Health has called on the media and local leaders in the West Nile region to take an active role in educating the public about the Tobacco Control Act of 2015.
Christine Ninsiima, the senior program officer at the Ministry of Health made these remarks on November 21, 2024, during a sensitization meeting held in Arua City.
“The media plays an important role in spreading accurate information and fostering a better understanding of the provisions of the law within the community, ”Ninsiima said.
She further emphasized the importance of raising awareness regarding tobacco use and its associated health risks through the Tobacco Control Act aiming at reducing tobacco consumption and protecting public health through various measures, including restrictions on advertising and smoking in public places.
Ninsiima highlights the critical role that community leaders and the media can play in promoting health education and compliance with the law.
Ninsiima further explained that tobacco use damages nearly every organ in the body, leading to illnesses such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.
The Tobacco Control Act of 2015 in Uganda is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at regulating tobacco products and reducing tobacco-related health issues.
