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A number of callers to radio stations on World No Smoking Day, called for stern control measures that would either curb smoking, or lead to a considerable decline in the incidence of smoking. Some called for the outright ban of smoking. What, perhaps, escaped the notice of the callers is that Botswana has a progressive anti-smoking legislation. It bans advertising of tobacco and all tobacco products, and outlaws smoking in public places. The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes to people below the age of 16. Soon after the law was passed, the national airline also took measures to ban smoking in all flights.
A lot of education on the dangers of smoking has been disseminated. Government levies high taxes on tobacco products.
With all these measures in place, why then is it that Botswana’s efforts to curb smoking seem to go up in smoke? Is it another indication that old habits die hard?
While concerns that give rise to the “ban-smoking” lobby are understandable, caution must be made against the temptation to rush to such extreme measures. There is no proof that outlawing an act leads to its cessation. Marijuana has been an outlawed drug in many countries around the world – including Botswana - for a long time, but it continues to be smoked nonetheless and trade in the drug thrives under the noses of the law enforcement officers. What is certain is that banning smoking would only push it underground, and further romanticise it.
A lasting solution lies in people learning to take responsibility for their lives – including their health. Only when every smoker has kicked the habit, not out of fear of the law, but out of choice would the victory be sweet.
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