Did you know the tobacco industry is still fighting to keep cigarettes popular in Africa?
While many African countries, including South Africa, are pushing for stricter tobacco laws, the tobacco industry keeps finding ways to fight back. Their tactics are often sneaky, aimed at making people think tobacco is not harmful or that it is somehow “modern and sexy ” to smoke.
How the Industry Fights Back?
The industry often tries to confuse people with their research that downplays the dangers of smoking and tobacco use. They also promote “harm-reduction” products, like e-cigarettes and vaping as a safer option. But they are focused on keeping their profits high, even if it means more people suffer and die from tobacco-related diseases.
What’s Being Done About It?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a strong global treaty called the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This treaty encourages countries to restrict advertising at the point of sale, ban digital messaging on social media, and sale to minors, prevent tobacco industry interference in public health policy, raise taxes on tobacco, place warning labels on packaging and promote greater awareness and education on the harm of tobacco products and smoking.
The Way Forward
The battle against tobacco is ongoing. Governments, Civil Society Organizations, partners, communities, and individuals need to be aware of the tactics used by the tobacco industry. By supporting strong anti-tobacco laws, we can make a big impact on public health and create a smoke-free future for Africa
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