THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has banned shisha smoking in the country, asking clerics, parents and all leaders to fight against dealers and smokers.
The PM’s order came as Dar es Salaam
Regional Commissioner (RC) Paul Makonda yesterday declared war against
dealers of tobacco-laced shisha in the country’s business capital,
insisting that all the joints that sell shisha should be closed by next
Monday.
Shisha is molasses-based tobacco
concoction smoked in a water pipe known as ‘hookah’. Mr Majaliwa said
the consumption of shisha resulted into temptation to indulge in all
sorts of vices and eroding morals among the youth.
“The statement by Mr Makonda came as a
government directive. Therefore, all regional leaders, including mayors
and district commissioners (DCs) should implement that directive with
immediate effect,’’ he added.
The Premier issued the directive at the
Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Mosque along Indira Gandhi Street in Dar es
Salaam during a special Iftar hosted by the Ithnaasheri Community, which
was attended by various religious leaders.
Mr Majaliwa warned that stern action
would be taken against those who will defy the order, adding that both
parents and government leaders were capable of dealing with the problem.
He said the use of shisha was killing
the future generation of the country by wreaking havoc on the mental
health of the young people. Earlier yesterday, the RC issued a warning
to Shisha marketers after swearing in four DCs at a ceremony held at the
Karimjee Hall in the city.
He directed the DCs to ensure that they
crack the whip to all dealers that would defy his order, adding that the
move is aimed at helping the youth who, he said, were being largely
affected.
The habit is gaining popularity among
the youth, with many believing it is less harmful than cigarettes, but
health experts say it is much worse. A research by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) estimates that the volume of smoke inhaled in an
hour-long shisha session is equivalent to smoking between 100 and 200
cigarettes.
On average, a cigarette smoker inhales
half a litre of smoke per cigarette, while a shisha smoker can take in
anything from just under a sixth of a litre to a litre of smoke per
inhalation.
Mr Makonda issued various directives to
the newly-appointed DCs, asking them to implement the directive by
President John Magufuli when inaugurating parliament in November last
year.
The new DCs who took oath of office are
Ally Hapi (Kinondoni), Sophia Mjema (Ilala), Hashim Shaibu Mgandilwa
(Kigamboni) and Felix Jackson Lyaviva (Temeke). Ubungo DC Humphrey
Polepole was absent.
According to Mr Makonda, the Ubungo DC
could not be able to attend as he is mourning the death of his father.
The RC asked his subordinates to observe rules, regulations and
legislations guiding them when discharging their duties.
“I am your coach and I expect to have
the best team. I will not hesitate to report any of you to the
appointing authority should you fail to deliver,’’ he said. He directed
them to work on the problems bedeviling the people, especially in
education, infrastructure and social services.
In their speeches before the RC, the DCs
pledged to discharge their duties effectively after reporting to their
duty stations. Last week, Dr Magufuli appointed 139 DCs who signed the
integrity pledge with the Ethics Secretariat at State House last
Wednesday, promising to deliver the Fifth Phase Government promises in
solving problems bedeviling Tanzanians.
The prime minister further asked
religious leaders to pray for the country’s peace, love and tolerance,
insisting that the government would continue supporting them so as to
bring development for all.
Retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi
asked Tanzanians to support the government’s efforts to preach peace,
unity and solidarity. “When the country has peace, the people will be
able to work without let or hindrance,’’ he observed
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