Maravi

(HERALD) Tobacco dilemma: pursue money or health?

Tobacco dilemma: pursue money or health?
Saturday, 21 July 2012 19:17
Tinashe Farawo

It is Zimbabwe’s golden leaf because of its monetary value, but it kills thousands of people. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the major global causes of death are shifting from HIV and Aids to tobacco- related diseases. If unchecked, tobacco smoking could be the leading cause of premature death by 2030, the WHO warns.

Zimbabwe, which ranks among the world’s top tobacco producing nations, faces a challenge in instituting measures to reduce smoking. To the Southern African country, tobacco forms one of the pillars of the economy. Naturally, calls for the world to reduce smoking-related deaths are a threat to the nation’s economy.

This year, more than 70 000 farmers have registered to grow tobacco, a 366 percent increase from the previous 15 000.

Tobacco production increased from 56 million kg in 2008 to 59 million in 2009 before recording a sharp rise in 2010 to 123 million kg, and about 150 million kg of the leaf was harvested last year.

Final figures for this year are still being computed, but pointers are that it will surpass last season’s production.

In 2008, the country realised US$156 million from tobacco sales and the figures have been on an upward trend to sit on US$345,2 million last year

With the success in tobacco farming, Zimbabwe and other developing nations, which are growing the crop on a large scale, can never be interested in anything other than the dollar sign. Expecting this nation to pass legislation against tobacco is a non-starter.

Statistics show that Zimbabwe last year produced about 150 million kg of Virginia and Barley Tobacco while Malawi harvested nearly 50 million kg and Mozambique

and Zambia were tied at about 30 million kg. Therefore, plans by the WHO and some world powers to push for a tobacco ban have been received with mixed feelings, especially in this part of the globe.

Canada is currently pushing for a Bill C Modification of Tobacco to be ratified by all nations and prevent tobacco consumption.

But the move is seen as a violation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements.
According to the WTO, Bill C Modification of Tobacco will have devastating effects on the Sadc tobacco-producing countries’ economies where more than 20 million people make their living from the tobacco industry.

But while the nations want money from their crop, tobacco is said to be claiming more lives.

It is estimated that globally tobacco-related illnesses kill more than 14 000 people each day and over five million each year.

Included in this death toll are nearly one million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.

There are more than 4 000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which at least 250 are known to be harmful, and more than 50 are known to cause cancer.

But according to the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, Zimbabwe is moving in the right direction in reducing the effects of smoking.

“We have taken a lot of steps in an effort to reduce smoking, for instance, a person cannot smoke in public transport and hospitals, and all these are measures to reduce smoking,” he said.

Dr Mombeshora said although tobacco is the country’s golden leaf, it is important to consider all those who were hospitalised as a result of smoking.

According to a 2008 World Health Organisation (WHO) survey, 21 percent of men in Zimbabwe smoke cigarettes.

Across Africa, it is estimated men constitute between 70 and 85 percent of smokers and, for many, smoking starts at a young age.

But for many countries, the issue is on crafting laws that reduce smoking and not impose a total ban on smoking.

In Zambia, there is a strict law on public smoking and offenders face a maximum of two years in prison or a fine of $121.

Despite the presence of punitive laws against tobacco smoking in South Africa such as restricting tobacco advertisement and marketing, there are also heavy taxes on tobacco products. Under the South African system, the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act protects the constitutional right of non-smokers to a free environment.

In Malawi, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture has been given the responsibility to monitor developments taking place, given the devastating impact banning of tobacco would have on Malawi’s economy.

Economic analyst Mr Jonathan Kadzura said advocating a tobacco ban has serious implications on the economy.

“We need to be careful on how we are going to approach this talk about tobacco ban, otherwise the economy will collapse. What are you going to do with thousands of farmers who are producing the crop and millions in the downstream industry? The effects will be more devastating than the illegal economic sanctions,” he said
Approximately 10 million farmers are involved in tobacco cultivation in Sadc with an approximate annual crop of 300 million kg. About 90 percent of this output is bought by cigarette manufacturers.

It therefore becomes a pipe dream for any lobby group to advocate a tobacco ban, especially in developing countries whose economies are benefiting from the crop.

Labels: HEALTHCARE, TOBACCO

posted by MrK @ 2:15 PM