Parliament to Debate Up to One Year Jail and BD100,000 Fine for Tobacco Law Violators

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Parliament will debate a government bill on Tuesday (tomorrow) that proposes significantly harsher penalties for violations of the Kingdom's anti-smoking law (Law No. 8 of 2009). The proposed amendment targets the import, distribution, and sale of herbal and non-herbal substances used as tobacco alternatives, even if nicotine-free.

Under the proposed amendment, offenders could face imprisonment for up to one year and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 Bahraini dinars. The current law imposes a significantly lower fine of between 1,000 and 3,000 Bahraini dinars. The amendment seeks to strengthen deterrence against practices deemed harmful to public health.

The amendment specifically prohibits various substances, including herbal materials like leaves, stems, and fruits containing addictive substances used as tobacco substitutes (e.g., suika, betel quid, tambaku, and areca nut), as well as non-herbal substances often used with herbal materials during chewing (e.g., chuna).

The Ministry of Health, in its assessment of the bill, reported 118 violations of this article between January 2022 and June 2024. The Ministry emphasised the necessity of stricter penalties to mitigate the negative impacts on public health and the environment.

The Bahrain Anti-Smoking Society fully supports the bill, stating its alignment with the organisation's strategic goals since its founding in 1979. The Society highlights the bill's congruence with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, viewing the amendment as a crucial step in protecting individuals and society from the dangers of both direct and passive smoking. The Parliament's Services Committee discussed the proposal and recommended approving it.