Tobacco levy to fund anti-smoking initiatives

Baboki Kayawe | Tuesday October 25, 2016 15:01

 

Chief health officer, Setshwano Mokgweetsinyana told participants at the inaugural Anti-Tobacco Network (ATN) public lecture at the University of Botswana recently that communication would soon be issued detailing the criteria to access the funds.

“Non-governmental organisations and academics can access money to promote public awareness on tobacco use and how it can be curbed,” Mokgweetsinyana said.

Though he did not disclose how much the fund has accumulated thus far, he said there is an urgent need for public education, especially among the young, since getting them hooked at a tender age means the tobacco industry remains profitable.

“The industry is not interested in old people.  If you get a 15-year-old hooked, the industry is assured of a customer for the next 40 or so years,” he said.

Government introduced the levy in 2014 with the objective of funding anti-tobacco initiatives and other related activities.  Then, the health ministry explained the development was in recognition of the contribution of tobacco as the main risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

He also assured the tobacco control movement that the law would soon be available, expected to reach Parliament next month or early next year.

Though political will has been demonstrated towards enacting legislation against tobacco use and access, World Health Organisation country representative Dr Martins Ovberedjo says operationalisation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) could be marred by confusion owing to its sentimental economic benefits.

Ovberedjo was officiating at the same occasion. He said the argument that tobacco has provided employment does not carry weight, as the benefits are very marginal relative to the harm to livelihoods. Moreover, he said the profits only benefit a few with a stake in the tobacco industry.

“Tobacco is a disease transmitted by the tobacco industry through a naïve economic argument through publicity and corporate social responsibility,” said Ovberedjo.

Under the FCTC, which is the first treaty in public health, signatories must use price and tax measures, ban smoking in public places as well as prohibit tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship among others to control tobacco use. 

The objective of the FCTC is to protect generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke, to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, Ovberedjo explained.