As the World is commemorating World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organisation has commended the progress made by the Malawi Government through the ratification of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) treaty in 2023.
In a statement released today by WHO country representative, Rusihamayila Kimambo, the organisation has also commended the government for conducting a needs assessment exercise to evaluate the country’s policy and institutional capacity for the implementation of the WHO-FCTC, establishing both the coordination unit and the National Task Force on Tobacco Control.
According to Kimambo, these are major steps towards tobacco control, protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Mambo has called on the government, advocates, and the public to protect themselves and future generations from the tactics of the tobacco and nicotine industries.
World No Tobacco Day is commemorated annually on 31 May.
In Malawi, tobacco smoking is estimated at 11.2%, with more men (83%) than women (17%). It is also estimated that 3.7% of boys and 0.3% of girls smoke. At least 5,400 deaths in Malawi were attributed to tobacco smoking in 2021.
By Mike Kalumbi
