Nakambe: The Nakambe Regional Health Directorate, with the support of the Community Health Directorate, organized an information and awareness meeting on Tuesday on the ban on smoking in public places, in application of decree No. 2025-0455. The meeting, held in the meeting room of the Tenkodogo town hall, brought together around fifty stakeholders, including promoters of maquis, restaurants and hotels, managers of transport companies, as well as representatives of the police, the gendarmerie and municipal hygiene services.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this activity is part of the national drive to combat smoking, with the technical and financial support of the World Health Organization (WHO). It aims to strengthen stakeholders' knowledge of Decree No. 2025-0455/PRES/PM/MS/MATM/MSECU/MEF/MICA, which strictly prohibits smoking in enclosed public spaces and on public transport.
During the discussions, participants were made aware of the health risks of tobacco and the legal obligations now imposed on managers of establishments and transport companies. They also learned about the penalties incurred in the event of non-compliance with the regulations.
At the end of the meeting, participants pledged to support the effective implementation of the decree in their various sectors of activity. Promoters of maquis, restaurants, and hotels promised to visibly display the forms provided for this purpose in their establishments and to raise awareness among their customers.
For their part, transport company managers have pledged to ban smoking in stations and vehicles, and to cooperate with law enforcement in the event of violations.
The national police, the gendarmerie, and the municipal police have announced the upcoming implementation of unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with legal provisions.
The representative of the Nakambe Regional Health Director, Roger Pousnoaga Sawadogo, welcomed the mobilization of stakeholders and stressed the need for a change in behavior to protect public health and strengthen social cohesion.
By adopting this decree and involving local stakeholders in its dissemination, Burkina Faso is taking an important step in the fight against smoking. This awareness campaign marks the beginning of a series of meetings designed to ensure the effective implementation of this measure throughout the country.
The stakeholders present unanimously agreed that only collective and coordinated action will ensure smoke-free public places and public transport, for the well-being of all.