The public notice also indicated importation, advertising or distribution of Shisha had been outlawed. [Photo|Courtesy]The Kenyan government has banned usage, sale, handling or manufacturing of Shisha.Through the Ministry of Health, the government issued a public notice dated Wednesday, December 27, banning smoking of the water-pipe tobacco.The public notice also indicated importation, advertising or distribution of Shisha had been outlawed."No person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, use advertise, promote or distribute Shisha in Kenya," read the public notice in part, adding that those found selling it would be liable for punishment under Section 163 of Public Health Act.The ban comes two days after former NACADA chairman John Mututho urged the government to emulate Rwanda and ban Shisha.According to him, there has been an increased number of youth addicted to the drug substance and that sharing of the smoking pipe could lead to spreading of infectious diseases like Tuberculosis and Hepatitis.Kenya now becomes the third country in Africa to ban Shisha smoking after Rwanda and Tanzania.

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