19 Sep 2018

Some  councillors in the Central District have called on enaction of strict legislation on tobacco.

The call followed a presentation by Ministry of Health and Wellness officer, Mr Ephraim Rapalai, who warned about various debilitating effects of tobacco smoking on both smokers and non-smokers. 

Amongst a host  of  effects of tobacco smoking, Mr Rapalai said  were that tobacco smoking killed up to half lifetime users, of all deaths attributable to secondhand smoke 31 per cent occur among children and 64 per cent among women. 

Not only that, the health official revealed that smokers die an average of 15 years earlier than non-smokers and that half of tobacco related deaths occur between the ages of 30 and 69.

Mr Rapalai further said that research had shown that 20 per cent of all types of cancer in Botswana were related to smoking tobacco. 

It was against this backdrop that councilors who spoke called for a complete ban of tobacco in the country whilst others have called for strict legislation so that non-smokers could be protected. 

Councilor Thomas Kgethenyane said that many  lives were lost due to tobacco smoking  vis-à-vis revenue generated from tobacco sales and therefore recommended a ban.

 Like others, he commended government efforts in prohibiting tobacco advertising. 

Councilors suggested that students in their adolescent stage must be targeted in a move to nip smoking in the bud. 

In fact, councilors have recommended teaching about effects of tobacco smoking at schools so that children may grow up empowered.

Councilor Anthony Chebani argued that many addicted smokers hated their state, but found it hard quitting. 

He said that students were attracted to smoking because they found it fashionable with many smart and celebrated persons indulge in smoking.

Some councilors wondered why  businesses  were allowed to sell tobacco and at the same time its advertising was banned.

The councilors questioned the rational of licensing businesses that operated with selling tobacco with its known implications on human life.

In protecting non-smokers, councilors wanted demarcated smoking zones and called for a ban on smoking in the public areas.  ENDS