Anti-tobacco lobbyists decry lax controls
Tefo Pheage | Wednesday October 28, 2015 14:50
The executive director at ATN, Bontle Mbongwe, who is also a public health academic at the University of Botswana, yesterday said the government had moved quickly to address alcohol abuse concerns, but was taking decades to address “a simple issue” of tobacco control which was threatening to eat away at the new generation.
Mbongwe said issues of health should be treated equally if Botswana is to achieve its goals of a healthy and productive nation.
“We feel that the urgency that is accorded to other health issues is not being accorded to tobacco licensing. Tobacco issues although complicated are very old issues which should have long been dealt with,” said Mbongwe at a media breakfast meeting at President hotel in Gaborone yesterday.
Mbongwe said while government’s existing efforts should be applauded, more could be done to protect the nation from the harmful dangers of tobacco.
ATN is advocating for 100 percent smoke free environment, total ban on tobacco advertising, promoting and sponsorship as well as total ban on tobacco sales to and by minors in the proposed upcoming tobacco control legislation.
For his part, ATN board chairperson, Rev. Simon Mulosu, said over the past three years the Anti Tobacco Network has been calling for the government to apply the same stringent and urgent regulation on tobacco products such as price increases, the creation of a tobacco levy and regulation of tobacco products in streets and in retail outlets.
“One year later since our last meeting, we are proud and congratulate the government of Botswana for implementing the 30 percent levy on the 14th of February, 2014,” he said.
“As expected the tobacco industry has come out and opposed the levy through media statements crafted to sway public opinion about the levy, but the truth of the matter is that the 30 percent tobbaco levy is a step in the right direction by our government.”
World health organisation (WHO) data shows that for every 10 percent increase in the cost of a pack of cigarettes, the overall smoking rates decrease four percent. Perhaps more compelling, raising the prices of smoking will discourage children who are still the tobacco companies main target, from picking up the habit in the first place. This is said to lower health care costs and help break the cycle of addiction.
Statistics show that tobacco use kills more than five million people per year. It is responsible for one in 10 deaths. Among the five greatest risk factors for mortality, it is the single most preventable cause of death.