Women sensitized on tobacco dangers
LOBATSE Lobatse has been chosen to host the National No Tobacco Day, which is scheduled for the 31st May 2010.
The theme of the commemoration is Gender and Tobacco and more emphasised would be on women because they are vulnerable as they easily fall into traps of believing that smoking could reduce weight.
Mr Clifford Matsoga from thwe Ministry of Health urged Urban Development Committee members to own the event and give it the necessary support to make it a success.
He also informed members that prior to the commemoration, a new project named Second Hand Smoking would be piloted in Lobatse and it would focus on prevention of second hand smoke. The project is also piloted in Mochudi and is supported by World Health Organisation..
Mr Matsoga said they were asked to run the project, which would also find out the quantity or size of smokers and places they use for smoking, after a survey carried out in Burkina Faso to find out strategies that are in place to control smoking.
He said the purpose of the initiative is to increase awareness and information on tobacco control among young people and the public in general.
He said Part II of the Tobacco Act and the Amendment Act of control of smoking address second hand smokers, sales of tobacco to and by minors. (Below age of 18 years) Mr Matsoga said the project needs support groups and volunteers to join and urged UDC members to establish such groups. He said through community support, cooperation and commitment Lobatse could be declared a non-smoking town.
He also briefed members that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with other stakeholders enforces the law as they have realised that smoking has become pandemic.
He said parents smoke in the presence of their children and they end up practicing what they see.
He said there is also a serious pressure from countries that manufacture tobacco adding that developed countries are less smoking and now they want to increase the smoking level.
He noted that some tobacco companies smuggle tobacco products into the country through ungazetted routes while others companies give cigarettes freely.
He said they have made efforts to raise awareness on what the law says and the danger of smoking through workshops, media, World No Tobacco Day commemorations, and education and communication material through hospitals, clinics and NGOs and by putting signs of no smoking.
Counseling and support is also given to smokers who want to quit.Mr Matsoga said according to the law adverts of tobacco are not allowed.
He mentioned that there is a tug of war between the legislation and companies citing a certain company which wanted to advertise itself by donating some mugs with its name to a certain non governmental organisation, while some companies wanted to start up projects and put bill boards to advertise their products but were prohibited For their part members raised concern that law enforcement is inadequate as there are some people who smoke in offices and they wanted to know if the law enforcers also monitor smoking in bars.
But they appreciated the ministrys efforts in increasing the level of awareness. They said the Act could bring positive results if it is well implemented.
