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Ethiopia, which has set an example for many African countries and is working to protect the health of its citizens, has implemented a law banning tobacco smoking in public places, but its implementation is not as expected.

Although the law prohibits smoking tobacco and tobacco products, especially in public places of entertainment and retail, it is reported that there are gaps in its implementation.

Although the law, which was enacted to prevent the harm caused by tobacco to health and which Ethiopia is commended for in many ways, is in effect, individual retailing and other similar violations of the law are still being observed, says Ato Weldu Bekele, founder and head of the Ethiopian Cancer Society, which is working on the issue.

The Director General of the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, Heran Gerba, who said that the law on tobacco products has been implemented, said that there are entities that have been punished so far, but that the matter should be strictly punished and that the law should be properly implemented. He said that we are working with the Ministry of Justice to identify the gaps in the work done so far.

The Director General said that more than 16.3 million birr of illegal tobacco products have been collected from the market through various market surveys. Shisha is one of the tobacco products that has been banned from entering the country, and although it is prohibited by proclamation to sell or use it, there are penalties for importing and using the product. He said that in order to strengthen the law on tobacco products, some violations are being made to criminalize the law with the Ministry of Justice.

In addition to the nationwide tobacco control, it is said that there are also works underway to tighten tobacco control at the city level in Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopian Cancer Society of Matthews said it is working with various international institutions to prevent and treat health problems associated with tobacco use.