Mopati
The Buddy System (Mopati)
WHY ?
The statistics of tobacco related mortality worldwide are devastating. Tobacco is a known or probable cause of about 25 diseases; hence its impact on health is tremendous. The vast majority of smokers are in developing countries and most of them are men insert source. This clearly suggests that smoking is the major problem in developing as well as developed countries. According to the World Health Organization (Organization, 2002) tobacco use is estimated to kill 5.4 million people worldwide each year and if current trends continue, this figure is set to reach 8.3 million by the year 2030 with 80% of these tobacco deaths occurring in developing countries.
WHAT DO WE DO ?
The buddy system is a behavioral support based program for pairing up with someone who is either quitting at the same time or an ex-smoker who has had personal experience or anyone with the experience to coach or support someone who wants to quit.
In the buddy system program there is assurance that a buddy is available at all times providing tips and distractions to help the quitter through hard times. The program also provides advice to buddies and teaches them how to be supportive and the buddies provide emotional support to quitters. The buddy system focuses on opportunistic support, emotional support and personal motivation. Services include behavioral counseling, advice on medical therapy, information on the health benefits of quitting, exposure to guest speakers, support and ideas from the ATN team and engaging activities in which the participants will make their own tobacco reducing tools and quit kits. This program is for every Motswana who is willing to quit smoking.
How and where can you register?
You can visit our office at the University of Botswana
Block 246 Second Floor, Room H219
You can also email us at antitobacconetwork@gmail.com or SMS/Whatsapp +267 75 267 637 , Tel: +267 355 4484/5544
