‘Smoking is not cool’
ALEXANDRA – Programmes such as this one must target young persons before they initiate tobacco use, says Dr Sharon Nyatsanza.
The national Department of Health has joined forces with various government departments and leading health NGOs to roll out the Sibo Manqoba! anti-smoking campaign countrywide and at two Alex schools.
Sibo Manqoba, which aims to raise awareness of the harm caused by tobacco and e-cigarettes and also encourage tobacco users to quit and also prevent non-users from starting, will be championed by Bovet and Zenzeleni primary schools in Alexandra.
“Sibo Manqoba is calling on South Africans to conquer tobacco and win the battle against the debilitating health impact tobacco has on our youth and nation. I want them to know that smoking is not cool,” said Lynn Moeng, director in the Department of Health.
The project is in partnership with the Department of Environmental Health and the ‘protect our next generation’ organisations such as the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HFSA), and the South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum (SATFYF).
The Sibo Manqoba Schools Mural Competition calls for teams of learners from Grade 5–7 in 30 selected schools to produce artwork in the form of murals or other creative pieces by March 14. The theme of each entry must focus on tobacco harm, why quitting tobacco makes you a winner, or how tobacco influences your school and community.
Five finalist schools will be announced by the end of March, with an awards ceremony in April. All schools receive education packs and the winning school will be awarded R10 000 toward a nominated wish list of needs.
The schools will further designate four student ambassadors and a lead educator for the project to represent the school as spokespersons and anti-tobacco youth advocates. Schools will document the project with pictures, videos and progress updates, showing all tools and resources used during the creation process.
Dr Sharon Nyatsanza, deputy director of the National Council Against Smoking, said in order to be most effective, school-based programmes must target young persons before they initiate tobacco use.
