PM Throws Spanner Into Tobacco Use Debate

Source from:  THE GUARDIAN 04/27/2010

The government said on Thursday that it wouldn't take sides in the tobacco use debate between those who want tobacco farming and smoking to be discouraged due to its adverse health effects and those who root for its cultivation as a commercial crop. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda sounded a non-committal position during the 30-minute PM's question time when responding to a question by Dr Ali Tarab Ali (Konde, CUF). The MP had argued the fact that tobacco had negative effects on human health, it would be wise for the PM to issue a directive banning billboards promoting cigarette smoking. In response, the PM said: "Tobacco is a cash crop just like other cash crops, and all have both good and bad effects. Those who feel that the crop is harmful to people's health should continue with their campaign, but those who smoke should continue smoking." According to him, the debate raging on tobacco was much ado about nothing, citing the example of a medical doctor who was a chain smoker. Meanwhile, the PM has said that the government would talk to some local commercial banks to issue loans to farmers in Ulanga District. Pinda was responding to a question posed by Dr Juma Ngasongwa (Ulanga West, CCM), who had urged the premier to persude commercial banks to charge low interest in order to enable farmers buy tractors. The MP said some banks were charging less interest than Tanzania Investment Bank (TIB) - a bank apparently entrusted to lend farmers through a special window for agriculture, which was charging 10 per cent interest. According to the lawmaker, the government had allocated 22bn/- to TIB for farmers, but the latter were hesitating to access the loans due to high interest rates. Enditem