Mahalapye District Council Chairperson Hon. Outule Segolame has urged leaders to put health first as Anti Tobacco Network (ATN) pushes for the signing of regulations to operationalise the Tobacco Control Act, 2021.
He called on leaders to take urgent action against tobacco use, warning that its impact on public health can no longer be ignored.
Segolame said the presentation by ATN had highlighted the serious dangers associated with tobacco use and urged leaders to support laws and measures that protect all Batswana.
He made the remarks after ATN addressed the Mahalapye Full Council as part of its nationwide campaign to rally local authorities behind the signing and implementation of regulations to operationalise Botswana’s Tobacco Control Act, 2021.
Thanking ATN for what he described as an “eye-opening” presentation, Segolame said leaders should take the warning seriously and work towards finding lasting solutions to the tobacco use problem.
He acknowledged that there had not been enough public education on the dangers of tobacco and commended ATN for sensitising councillors. He said councillors could now take the information to their communities and help raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use.
Segolame said tobacco use was affecting people of all ages, including young people, and described it as rampant and dangerous. He called on leaders to take greater responsibility by supporting measures aimed at controlling tobacco use.
“What is most important is health,” he said.
The council chairperson’s message echoes concerns raised during ATN’s engagements with councils across the country, where the organisation has been advocating for the urgent signing and implementation of tobacco-control regulations.
Mahalapye is the nineth council to be addressed by ATN as part of its ongoing advocacy campaign.
The campaign comes against the backdrop of a growing burden of preventable Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with tobacco use identified as one of the key risk factors.
NCDs account for approximately 46% of all deaths in Botswana, with tobacco-related use and exposure contributing to a significant proportion of these deaths.
Tobacco related diseases and deaths are largely preventable and stronger action from policymakers and local leaders is needed to ensure that tobacco-control legislation translates into meaningful protection for communities.
As ATN continues its engagements with district councils, the organisation is urging leaders to use their influence to support the signing of the regulations and help move Botswana from legislation on paper to effective tobacco control on the ground.
