Issued by the National Department of Health
30 May 2005
On Tuesday South Africa joins the rest of the world to mark “World No Tobacco Day,” an international day against smoking. The aim of the day is to encourage governments, communities, health professionals and citizens to take action to move towards a smoke-free society. On this day the World Health Organisation (WHO) appeals to all those who smoke or use snuff to quit for at least 24 hours, as a first step to quitting for life.
Recent statistics show that tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world and kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce.
This year’s international theme “Health Professionals and Tobacco Control” recognises the critical role the health workers can play in the fight against the use of tobacco products. It is the responsibility of medical workers to not only treat diseases but to prevent disease and promote health. Research shows that one of the best things a tobacco user can do for his or her health is to quit. Health professionals need to help their patients understand this truth.
Since the dawn of democracy South Africa moved swiftly to introduce legislation and vigorous advocacy campaigns aimed at reducing smoking in the country. The Tobacco Products Control Act of 1995 made it compulsory for cigarettes packets health warning. To further augment on the anti-tobacco legislation on the Act was subsequently amended four year later, introducing the following:
The stringent tobacco control law which we have instituted together with the other tobacco control related health promotion initiatives has contributed immensely to the reduction of smoking prevalence in our country among the youth and adults. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2002 showed that the smoking prevalence among adults has reduced from 36% in 1996 to 22% in 2002. In regard to the youth, the smoking prevalence has reduced from 23% in 1999 to 18,3% in 2002. School going teenagers in South Africa are less likely to smoke than they were three years ago.
The legislation against public smoking has also been welcome and tremendous progress has been made regarding compliance by public places. In a 2003 preliminary study conducted in public places in three provinces to assess compliance level with the tobacco legislation, the results indicate a more than 60% compliance rate. Some of the designated places were found to be working towards becoming fully compliant with the law.
On the global front South Africa has also been in the forefront of discussions on international tobacco control and ensuring that the interest of developing countries are represented at various multilateral forums. . Our government has participated in the intergovernmental negotiations to develop an international treaty aimed at curbing tobacco related diseases and deaths- the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). We were amongst the first countries that signed the FCTC on the first day of signing on 16 June 2003 .
The FCTC was adopted by Parliament in March 2005 & ratified in April 2005. This framework will enable South Africa to work in close collaboration with other countries to curb tobacco related deaths and also to deal with cross-border challenges such smuggling and cross-border advertising of tobacco products. In order to meet our international tobacco control obligations, we are now harmonising our domestic tobacco legislation with the FCTC and this would inform legislative amendments that are currently under way.
World No-Tobacco Day will be celebrated in SA with events around the country with particular emphasis on the youth and school children. The Department of Health will be observing this day at a special event at Mangaung Sports Centre in the Free State .
Anyone needing help in quitting can obtain free help by calling the Tobacco or Health Information Line on (011) 720-3145.
Chief Directorate: Communications
Enquiries: Solly Mabotha: 083 678 9860