Govt moves to stub out tobacco tolerance

NAMIBIA, in a long-expected move, has signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Health Minister Dr Libertina Amathila signed the treaty aimed at curbing tobacco-related deaths and disease in Geneva on January 29. Namibia was one of the 192 countries that passed the international treaty, sponsored by the World Health Organisation, last May.It requires countries to impose restrictions on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, establish new labelling and clean indoor air controls and strengthen legislation to clamp down on tobacco smuggling.It took Namibia about nine months to sign it but the treaty will come into force only after it has been ratified by 40 countries.Only seven countries have ratified the treaty so far.Namibia must first enact its own long-awaited anti-tobacco legislation before it can ratify the treaty.The draft Tobacco Bill has been awaiting approval for close to three years now.Even if this happens soon, the bill will have to be passed back to the drafting committee because matters related to illicit trade and trafficking are not covered in the current document.In its present form, the Bill seeks to prohibit or control smoking in public places as well as regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco and tobacco products in certain respects.The Bill gives the Health Minister the prerogative to decide in what kind of public places smoking will be banned.In addition, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted to buy tobacco or any related products.Tobacco manufacturers, importers or suppliers will be hardest hit by the new legislation.They will be banned from promoting their products at any social event and can be held liable for treatment costs for those affected by tobacco products.Should companies not be prepared to pay these costs, it is suggested that cigarettes be taxed at the maximum rate and the money be used for health-related matters.Tobacco companies will also be obliged to set aside money to take care of workers whose health is affected by tobacco use.Health professionals met in Geneva last week to look at ways to stop the use of a product which, it has been found, will eventually kill half of regular users.Participants included professional associations representing pharmacists, dentists, nurses, midwives, chiropractors and physicians.Namibia was one of the 192 countries that passed the international treaty, sponsored by the World Health Organisation, last May. It requires countries to impose restrictions on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, establish new labelling and clean indoor air controls and strengthen legislation to clamp down on tobacco smuggling. It took Namibia about nine months to sign it but the treaty will come into force only after it has been ratified by 40 countries. Only seven countries have ratified the treaty so far. Namibia must first enact its own long-awaited anti-tobacco legislation before it can ratify the treaty. The draft Tobacco Bill has been awaiting approval for close to three years now. Even if this happens soon, the bill will have to be passed back to the drafting committee because matters related to illicit trade and trafficking are not covered in the current document. In its present form, the Bill seeks to prohibit or control smoking in public places as well as regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco and tobacco products in certain respects. The Bill gives the Health Minister the prerogative to decide in what kind of public places smoking will be banned. In addition, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted to buy tobacco or any related products. Tobacco manufacturers, importers or suppliers will be hardest hit by the new legislation. They will be banned from promoting their products at any social event and can be held liable for treatment costs for those affected by tobacco products. Should companies not be prepared to pay these costs, it is suggested that cigarettes be taxed at the maximum rate and the money be used for health-related matters. Tobacco companies will also be obliged to set aside money to take care of workers whose health is affected by tobacco use. Health professionals met in Geneva last week to look at ways to stop the use of a product which, it has been found, will eventually kill half of regular users. Participants included professional associations representing pharmacists, dentists, nurses, midwives, chiropractors and physicians.