Tanzania: Firms Donates Sh120 Million to Police Force

Source from:  The Citizen (Dar es Salaam) 2 November 2008 11/04/2008

The director of Training and operations of police, Commissioner Paul Chagonja, receives a donation of $92,000 to the Tanzania Cigarette Company general Manager, Mr Simon Matta, to facilitate training of five police officers in the US. The presentation took place in Dar es Salaam at the weekend. The Tanzania Cigarette Company (TCC) has donated $92,000 (Sh120 million) to the Tanzania police force. The money will facilitate training for top officers in San Diego, California. TCC general manager Simon Matta presented the donation to police training and operations director Paul Chagonja. The firm donated Sh90 million to the force last year and has been sponsoring the Tanzanian delegation to the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference since 2001. "The feedback we have received from those who have previously attended the conference is very positive and of great benefit to the police force in Tanzania. It is for this reason that we have deemed it appropriate to continue with our sponsorship," Mr Matta said. Mr Chagonja said the police force had greatly benefited from experiences gained by officers who have previously attended the conference. He noted that the IACP annual conferences had enhanced the knowledge of police officers in addressing contemporary crime-related issues at local, regional and international scenes. TCC is also a major taxpayer. However, the World Health Organisation warns that effects of smoking on human health are serious and in many cases, deadly. There are about 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes, hundreds of which are toxic. The ingredients in cigarettes affect everything from the internal functioning of organs to the efficiency of the body's immune system. The effects of cigarette smoking are destructive and widespread. Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. It has been found in every part of the body and in breast milk. Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing affected cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. Cancer-causing agents in tobacco smoke damage important genes that control the growth of cells, causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly. Smoking affects the function of the immune system and may increase the risk for respiratory and other infections. There are several likely ways that cigarette smoke does its damage. One is oxidative stress that mutates DNA, promotes atherosclerosis, and leads to chronic lung injury. Oxidative stress is thought to be the general mechanism behind the aging process, contributing to the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The body produces antioxidants to help repair damaged cells. Smokers have lower levels of antioxidants in their blood than do nonsmokers. Smoking is associated with higher levels of chronic inflammation, another damaging process that may result in oxidative stress. Enditem