From statements being made by public officials recently, it seems as if Guyana is one step closer to having the long-awaited Tobacco Control Legislation debated and passed in Parliament. We quoted the Public Health Minister a few days ago as saying the final draft of the Bill is expected to be taken to Cabinet for final approval before it is taken to the Parliament where it is to be debated and passed.
There were many criticisms levelled against both the present and past administrations, for not moving fast enough to have the crucial tobacco control legislation enacted even though many countries in the region have gone ahead with theirs. It could be recalled that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Regional Advisor on Tobacco Control, Dr Adrianna Blanco had said there is no reason to justify why tobacco control legislation has not yet been tabled in Guyana’s Parliament.
Blanco, like many of us, is of the view that passing the tobacco legislation should be a top priority for this country, considering the number of persons dying from various causes as a result of tobacco use. We therefore take this opportunity to urge the relevant officials not to further delay the passage of the legislation due to its high level of importance.
Many countries across the world have recognised the need to have tobacco legislation in place and have taken the necessary steps aimed at protecting their citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
It is well accepted that tobacco is a deadly product that kills millions of people every year, and most of its victims are from low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) uses the term “global tobacco epidemic” to describe the deadly effects and the high number of persons dying from tobacco use.
According to WHO, tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. Approximately one person dies from a tobacco-caused disease every 6 seconds, equivalent to almost six million people a year. This is forecast to rise to more than eight million people a year by 2030, with more than 80% of these preventable deaths occurring among people living in low- and middle-income countries.
Tobacco use is one of the largest preventable causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Hence, tobacco control represents a powerful tool in improving health in communities and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The statistics mentioned before are indeed very worrying and should cause all stakeholders, including both government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to recommit themselves to taking the necessary action needed to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens.
The tobacco control legislation fulfils the requirements laid out in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The legislation is intended to protect present and future generations from the “devastating harms” of tobacco use, exposure to tobacco smoke and specifically to prevent tobacco use among youths.
The legislation also seeks to ensure the public is protected from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, while preventing the illicit trade in tobacco products.
There is no doubt that we could be successful in the fight to ensure that the numbers of persons dying as a result of the harmful effects of tobacco use or being exposed to second-hand smoking is significantly reduced. However, much of the successes in this fight will be based on having the necessary legislation in place and also by ensuring that such legislation is effectively and rigidly enforced.
Of importance too is the need to design and implement thorough public education and awareness campaigns aimed at changing public attitudes regarding tobacco use and the accompanying deadly effects on persons. To begin with, the authorities should commence a public awareness drive aimed at sensitising the general public on various aspects of the legislation and what it provides for.
We have seen the huge negative impact tobacco is having on people all over the world; the level of destruction and deaths warrant urgent action. It could be very costly to families and communities in general. Guyana cannot afford to lag behind in terms of the legislative requirements needed to tackle this issue holistically.
