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.’”
Looking forward to tomorrow’s panel at 7am est when Derek Yach (@swimdaily), Jed Rose, @RiccardoPolosa, @patriciakova, and @Doctor_Sud will discuss issues related to #tobaccoharmreduction policy and how new technologies could help to achieve the @FCTCofficial's stated goals.
15 Years Conference Day #1 https://youtu.be/nhb2Ulaxdyk via @YouTube live and also for replay.
Excellent panel, great discussion, fabulous questions from around the world.
Hoping to make a real difference globally using @FCTCofficial #FCTC4All
More tomorrow at 12 BST!
Happy #InternationalPodcastDay! Listen to global health experts discuss the latest research in #smokingcessation, #tobaccoharmreduction and #nicotine science on the Global Health Perspectives Podcast with Derek Yach (@swimdaily): https://spoti.fi/36kmRjK
.@Doctor_Sud, co-founder of @CHRE_UK and #smokingcessation doctor, discusses the lack of inclusive smoking cessation services, #tobaccoharmreduction solutions, and the @15Conference on the Global Health Perspectives Podcast with Derek Yach (@swimdaily): https://bit.ly/33g9AXl
Who is getting tobacco regulations right? Derek Yach (@swimdaily) believes “at present, very few”. Read more about how #tobacco regulations are preventing #tobaccoharmreduction products from saving millions of lives: https://bit.ly/2HBzKvf
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