BOCONGO, Health Ministry embark on smoke- free campaign

Botswana Council of Non- Governmental Organizations ( BOCONGO) in partnership with Ministry of Health are implementing a three- year capacity building project titled, ‘ Reclaiming Smoke- free Workplaces; Ga Go Gogelwe Fa!’

The aim of the project is to make a case for a smoke- free Botswana. This by facilitating knowledge sharing and information exchange interface meetings with key authorities in charge of policy planning and development in the Public Service to leverage practical measures of instituting smokefree policy space.

The project, according to BOCONGO, also seeks to guide workplace policy development and contribution of information on negative consequences of smoking; enhance visibility of designated smoking areas in business settings such as malls and entertainment arenas; as well as broaden the general understanding of health effects of tobacco use. Programs Coordinator at BOCONGO, Maipelo Phale told Botswana Guardian in an enquiry that the project framework is cast on three components, namely, Workplace Policy advocacy and implementation, Capacity Building and Media Campaigns. “Project interventions are designed to target policy and decision- making authorities responsible for policy planning and development in the public service, Councils, and Corporate executives in the business sector,” Phale said. She further explained that project deliverables include developing workplace policies that seek to support people, particularly young people, to avoid or delay initiation of tobacco or if they have already started, developing addiction or dependence. “The project will facilitate knowledge sharing and information exchange; interface meetings and workshops with key authorities in charge of policy planning and development; organize social media platforms such as BOCONGO Facebook, Twitter handle and the webpage; and lobby authorities in charge of policy planning and development in the public service and government institutions including Councils to develop practical measures of giving meaning to smoke- free workplace policy in the Public Service including mechanisms for the implementation of the legal dictates of the Botswana Smoking Control Act 2021.” BOCONGO, the umbrella body for non- governmental organizations in Botswana is inspired by the fact that Botswana has a high prevalence of smoking. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey ( GATS) country report, approximately 240,000, that is 17.6 percent adults currently use tobacco in Botswana. In addition, 40,000, 12.2 percent and 190,000, 13.8 percent adults were exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace and at home respectively in 2017. The survey established that about 14.2 percent of adults aged 15 years and above ( 194,000) in Botswana are current tobacco smokers, 85.8 percent are non- smokers. Phale says these statistics give a chilling picture of a society engulfed in behavioural patterns that undermine human health, which if left unchecked would negatively impact on the current life expectancy value in Botswana.

“The objective of the project therefore is to create healthier workforce by reclaiming smokingfree public service workplaces and to reduce tobacco consumption, including prevalence of smoking in Botswana,” she explains, further adding that the project endeavors to institute practical measures of reducing prevalence of smoking in the workplace and to protect non- smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Phale further adds that the project targets all workplaces in Botswana and associated employers. “The project will involve public institutions, private sector, NGOs sector, and all institutions identified in the Tobacco Control Policy Fact Sheet. Indirect project beneficiaries include clients for the merchandise and services in commercial hubs with designated smoking areas that will enjoy smoke- free spaces that cushion them from health hazards associated with exposure to secondhand smoke,” she said.

BOCONGO is of the view that Tobacco consumption in Botswana is increasing and happening without proper workplace policy guidance. They attribute the increase in tobacco consumption to among other reasons, the socioeconomic development gains the country has made over the last decade. The upper middle- income status makes Botswana a lucrative market for the tobacco industries.

Additionally, they believe that the tobacco industry has also taken advantage of weak enforcements regime of existing tobacco control regulations to exploit the local market base and flood the working spaces with tobacco products.

“Tobacco consumption scenario in Botswana is also very different from others in its complexity. There is great variation in the pattern and mode of tobacco use. Smokeless forms of tobacco use have gained traction and become highly acceptable in society,” Phale adds.

At institutional level, BOCONGO has observed that there is general lack of policy guidance and information on negative consequences of smoking and most business and commercial establishments in Botswana lack information and knowledge to institute control mechanisms of tobacco use.

Currently, policies that govern matters of smoking in the workplace include, the National Health Policy of 1995, Tobacco Control Act of 2021 and WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Guidelines.