It is estimated that 18 percent of adult males in Malawi smoke tobacco, compared to just 1.2 percent of females. However, since there is no national agency focused on tobacco control, exact figures are difficult to determine.
Yes
Malawi is not a signatory to the FCTC, so there is little regulation of tobacco products. Malawi’s Tobacco Act regulates tobacco growing and exportation, but does not contain any restrictions on advertising, smoking in public places, or health warning label requirements. Smoking is allowed in public places, and tobacco advertising, including tobacco sponsorship of sports teams, is allowed. Since many smokers grow and then roll their own tobacco into cigarettes, a tobacco tax has not been an effective way to deter smoking.
Tobacco farming accounts for 81 percent of Malawi’s foreign exchange earnings. So, efforts to end smoking are treated with caution and often tinged with concern about negative economic consequences for the country. Furthermore, there is a lack of public education about smoking and many smokers, especially in rural areas, don’t fully understand smoking’s potential to cause negative health effects.
Malawians have little exposure to or knowledge of alternatives to combustible cigarettes.
“Patients with chronic diseases, I talk with many about the consequences of smoking, and they say, ‘Oh, this cannot be so.’”
Without alternatives provided, smoking rates in #SouthAfrica remain stubbornly high compared to other regions. Hear more about the #StateOfSmoking and the struggles of smokers here: http://bit.ly/2BROMqS
Tomorrow we kick off the second annual #ATISummit2019 where thought leaders from international delegations, local government and private & farming sectors will convene as part of the ATI’s commitment to economic diversification in #Malawi. To learn more: http://bit.ly/2OamVYm
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