Tobacco control requires political leaders� intervention � ATN

Baboki Kayawe | Thursday July 23, 2015 14:38

ATN executive director, Dr Bontle Mbongwe said the repercussions of tobacco use pose a serious threat to the national health, affect productivity in addition to bulging the health bill. As a result, she said a strong political leadership is needed to combat the issue.

Speaking at a tobacco control workshop for health professionals and civil society held in Mokolodi Nature Reserve Friday, Mbongwe noted that tobacco product use and its associated impacts are treated less of an issue.

“We are at a stage where the political leaders must commit much as they have committed to confront HIV/AIDS and alcohol because tobacco use aggravates poverty and poor health among others,” she said.  Mbongwe said restricting access to these products as well as ensuring that the law is enforced to prohibit public smoking are very critical measures in tobacco control, as espoused in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). She however noted that tobacco-advertising, promotion and sponsorship by the industry remains a problematic area in the country. This, she added is contrary to the FCTC provision that obliges Botswana to reject partnerships with the tobacco industry.

“Yes tobacco is a legal product, but the industry itself has acknowledged that they sell a dangerous product to the public. As much as the FCTC prohibits advertising and sponsorship, we at ATN are also saying its advertisement increases the chance of people who haven’t started using the product to begin doing that,” she said.

Regarding tobacco economics, she said the buyer remains perpetually poor while Botswana, as a non-tobacco producing country, does not benefit much.

Mbongwe added that street vendors who are given the merchandise by the industry to promote their products also benefit little as prices are regulated, while they act as mere distributors.

“Essentially what we should do differently as an anti-tobacco group is to ensure that everyone understands tobacco complexities,” she said. Mbongwe also said that research indicates that tobacco, especially cigarette smoking is a gateway to a host of harder and dangerous substances; hence the pressing need for government and all stakeholders to give tobacco control priority. 

Parliament is expected to table a Bill to modify the existing tobacco control legislature - the Tobacco Control Act of 1992 amended in 2004. 

The revision strengthened provisions on smoking in public places as well as a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and increasing the age of restriction of persons who can buy and sell tobacco products from 16 to 18 years.