Background:
Smoke Free Policies (SFPs) have been passed in different countries around the world to prevent exposure to Secondhand smoke. Uganda enacted a partial Smoke Free Policy in 2004 banning smoking in public places and allowing smoking only in designated smoking areas in public places like bars and restaurants. However, the extent of implementation of this policy has not been well studied in Uganda. This study therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of the "No Smoking" signage, compliance and enforcement of the Smoke Free Policy in bars and restaurants of Makindye division in Kampala district.

Methods:
A cross sectional study was conducted among 154 randomly selected premises licensed as bar and restaurant after adjusting for finite population in 2013. The managers of the premises were purposively selected while participants were conveniently observed. Observation checklist and interviewer administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Three outcome variables; prevalence, compliance and enforcement of Smoke Free Policies were assessed. Analysis was done using SPSS (Version 16.0) and data summarized using frequencies.

Results:
Of the 154 premises reached; 32.5% displayed "No Smoking" Signage with 68.0% having written Signage. 13.0% of the premises had designated smoking area with 30.0% of them clearly labeled. Only 11.7% of the designated smoking areas were enclosed rooms while 88.3% was an open area. 80.5% of the premises had no ash trays, 71.4% did not have individuals smoking in Non Designated Smoking areas, 64.3% had no cigarette butts and 69.5% had no cigarette packs. The average overall compliance to the Smoke Free Policy was, 63.8%.

Conclusions:
"No Smoking" Signage and compliance to the smoke free policy in Kampala bars and restaurants is still insufficient. Sensitization of the managers on the requirements of the Smoke Free Policy and enforcement of the Smoke Free policy is vital if exposure to secondhand smoke is to be reduced.