Health Department holds talks to end tobacco use
MIDRAND – Health experts hold talks about ways to inform the public of the dangers of tobacco, as well as pass a new tobacco bill which will regulate tobacco use through parliament.
Prior to World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, the National Department of Health, together with healthcare professionals, held talks at Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership in Midrand on 29 May, with the theme ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’.
Discussions ranged from the dangers of tobacco, electronic smoking devices, as well as efforts being made to regulate usage.
According to the Department of Health, tobacco is the only legally available consumer product that kills up to half its users, with over eight million cases of people falling victim worldwide, most of them in middle and lower class countries.
Deputy director-general Dr Yogan Pillay, who was the guest of honour, said, “Tobacco exposure is a threat to lung health for everyone, not only smokers.
“Our National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases has clear targets to reduce tobacco smoking. South Africa is already overburdened with entirely preventable diseases and tobacco is one of the major risk factors. The new bill will go a long way in reducing the disease burden.”
He added that an integrated approach should be taken to the commercial determinants of health, adding that pressure must be put on the South African government to increase taxes for tobacco and for the new tobacco bill to be passed, just as government did with other harmful products.
“Print media has not been silent about tobacco, which raises concern that the right people are not being targeted – 37 per cent of men (down from 42 per cent in 1998) and 8 per cent of women (down from 11 per cent) smoke today. We are making small gains, but not sufficient enough.”
Dr Pillay pointed out that the new bill, which will soon be presented to the National Parliament, will focus on:
• Hundred per cent smoke-free areas – indoor public places.
• Banning display at point of sale
• Plain packaging with graphic health warnings/pictorials
• Regulating electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes)
• Banning cigarette sales in vending machines.
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/214441/medical-evidence-suggests-vaping-harmful-cigarette-smoking/
