Botswana: Anti Tobacco Efforts Firm Up

Source from:  Daily News 10/30/2015

In an effort to intensify tobacco legislation in the country, the Anti-Tobacco Network (ATN) is embarking on a journey to advocate for the strict regulation of tobacco use.

Speaking during a media breakfast meeting, on fast tracking the development of comprehensive tobacco legislation held in Gaborone, executive director for ATN Dr Bontle Mbongwe said currently the government has a legislation which partially bans smoking in public places.

She noted that the current law requires that smoking areas should be enclosed, which she stressed it only meets the needs of smokers.

Dr Mbongwe said the Framework Conversion on Tobacco Control (FCTC) have clearly stated that this law does not work as it does not protect everyone.

"The current law does not protect everyone because there are employees who work in smoking areas and those employees are not protected," she said.

She further said they are advocating that the government of Botswana must license tobacco products, adding that street vendors should not be allowed to sell tobacco products because the product has to be used with caution. Enditem