02 Jun 2024

Plans are underway to undertake a Global Youth Tobacco Survey to establish the prevalence of tobacco use among children aged between 13 and 15 years in Botswana, Acting Minister of Health, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has said.

The survey, which will be a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Statistics Botswana, will also advise on the relevant interventions to be implemented to address the problem.

Speaking at the World No Tobacco Day commemoration in Jwaneng on Friday, Mr Lelatisitswe said this year’s theme: Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference, resonated with the ministry’s plans to address the increasing prevalence of tobacco use among the youth.

“The coincidence gives the ministry the opportunity to further develop appropriate and relevant interventions for our youth with the specific evidence that the survey will provide,” he said.

He regretted that the tobacco industry continued to recruit young people through enticing marketing and advertising strategies, the results of which were adverse health issues among users.

He said the last surveys done in 2002 and 2008 showed a three per cent increase in tobacco prevalence among 13 to 15 year-olds.

“Tobacco and related industries have increasingly preyed on children and adolescents, employing advertising tactics and targeting them directly with a new portfolio of products that threaten their health. The industry has manipulated their products to be more attractive and appealing to the youth by adding flavours, colourants and scents,” he said.

He called on all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that children were protected from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Notwithstanding, the acting minister noted that Botswana continued to make strides in tobacco control through legislation and other initiatives.

He noted that in an endeavour to sensitise and rehabilitate tobacco users, his ministry funded awareness campaigns through non-governmental organisations in various areas across the country, while the long term plan was to enrol the programme throughout the country.

“The NGOs are working in Lobatse and surrounding areas, Molepolole and Lentsweletau, Mahalapye and surrounding areas, Maun, Tsabong and Gaborone. This is only the beginning, my ministry commits to ensuring that the whole country will be covered and all Batswana have access to information on tobacco control and rehabilitation from tobacco addiction,” he noted.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Mamiki Kamanakao underscored the need for all stakeholders to collaborate efforts towards addressing social ills affecting health, socio-economic and psychological being of young people.

Ms Kamanakao noted that legislation alone would not adequately protect the rights of children and keep them away from tobacco effects.

“Specifically, here in Jwaneng and across the nation, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect our children and youth from tobacco industry interference. The effects of tobacco are far reaching and have indelible marks on victims, especially children,” she said.

She noted that though not specific to tobacco, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Botswana Children’s Act 2009 indirectly promoted the health and development of children, as well as protecting them from harmful substances.

She noted that advocating for the rights of children in various ramifications had implications on their protection from tobacco and other harmful substances.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the future of our children. Together, let us build a world where every child has the opportunity to grow up free from the harms of tobacco,” she said. ENDs