Authorities of the Abyei municipality have banned the smoking of water-pipe tobacco in public places in Abyei town.

The smoking of water-pipe tobacco, popularly known as shisha, has become increasingly popular with young people in the disputed region of Abyei.

Speaking to Abyei Today programme earlier this week, Dut Piok Amour, the Executive Director of Abyei town municipality said norms and cultures of the Ngok Dinka are undermined when a woman or child smokes in public.

He warned that those who violate the order would either pay a fine of 5,000 SSP or face one month imprisonment.

“If you leave your house for a group of women to use for smoking shisha or other things, we will first of all report to the concerned authorities. We will confiscate that house,” Dut warned. 

Mayen Monjur Mayen, a medical assistant at Agok hospital, said smoking causes respiratory infections in children and miscarriages among expectant mothers.