ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration (EFDA) disclosed that it has closed 42 bars that were flouting smoking and serving shisha or hookah.
In a press release the Authority sent to The Ethiopian Herald, measures have been taken on owners and managers of 42 bars as a result of investigative work the Authority carried out with local police and other relevant stakeholders. The Authority vowed that it will take future measures on bars or any entities that allow illegal smoking of cigarettes and Shisha by working together with state supervisors and the Police.
As it is known, in what has been dubbed by some as Africa’s strongest anti-tobacco law, Ethiopia has passed tobacco control law that requires 100 percent smoke-free public and work places, bans tobacco advertising and promotions, restricts the sale of flavored tobacco products and mandates pictorial warning labels covering 70 percent of the front and back of all tobacco products.
The law also bans the sale of heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes and Shisha, and prohibits tobacco sales to anyone under the age of 21.
The Ethiopian Herald, July 3/2019
BY STAFF REPORTERS
