10 Jul 2017

Executive director of Anti-Tobacco Network, Dr Bontle Mbongwe says more efforts need to be put in place to ensure compliance with Tobacco Control Act on 1992, which among others does not encourage sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 18.

 Dr Mbongwe, who was addressing members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, noted that though the Act was to some extent a deterrent, some section of the community continued to violate it with impunity and therefore called for more stringent measures.

She said quite often persons under the age of 18 were sent to buy tobacco, and in some instances youngsters especially school going children were used as moving bill boards by being supplied with free printed school bags advertising tobacco, by some of the rich companies dealing with sale and distribution of tobacco products.   

Therefore, he said she was optimistic that the envisaged tobacco Act would cater for  100 per cent smoke free policies, graphic warning labels, ban on tobacco advert, promotion and sponsorship, regulate sale of tobacco products and increase of age of persons who could sell or buy tobacco to 21 years.

WHO health promotions officer, Mr Moagi Gaborone told dikgosi that more than seven million people worldwide were killed by tobacco use, noting that in Africa alone it was estimated that 146 000 of people over 30 years died due to tobacco use.

Mr Gaborone however regretted that tobacco companies were targeting women in advertising their products, a development which might lure more into the habit. 

Also, he said seven out of 10 tobacco farm workers were women and exposed to hazardous chemicals.

He further noted that 14 per cent of children from tobacco farming families did not attend school and worked in tobacco fields.

Mr Gaborone was however optimistic that WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control would guide countries on formulation of laws that would regulate tobacco use.

Earlier,Anti-Tobacco Network board chairperson, Mr Jacob Sesinyi said there was need for collective responsibility on tobacco use because families had broken down due to reckless tobacco use as either the spouse who was the sole bread winner died or left terminally ill. 

Mr Sesinyi therefore said anti-tobacco messages should be spread across all spheres with particular focus on the youth because they had shown signs they had started to indulge in tobacco use and other drugs.

However, he said it was time the country formulated stringent laws against tobacco use.

For their part, dikgosi applauded Anti-Tobacco Network for its efforts in the fight against the use of tobacco, noting that they would definitely offer support. 

Kgosi Mosadi of Balete however said she was concerned about the high use of snuff as some claimed that they use it to cure or sedate headache. 

Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo from Maun in the meantime said ever since he quit smoking, he was living a healthy life and thus has successfully made his medical doctor friend to quit too.

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso Gaborone meanwhile said dikgosi played a crucial role in village socio-economic development and therefore it was a good decision for the network for having hosted them on this pertinent issue. 

He encouraged them to continue with their campaigns and promised them his support. ENDS