Underneath the slogan ‘Unmask the Lure’, Angola marked World No Tobacco Day with an inspiring ceremony that introduced collectively authorities authorities, worldwide companions, well being professionals, and kids. The occasion in Luanda was a collective name to motion: to guard younger individuals and assure a more healthy future, free from the tobacco trade’s manipulation.
Worldwide, tobacco stays one of many biggest threats to public well being. Based on the World Well being Organisation (WHO), greater than 8 million individuals die yearly from tobacco consumption, together with 1.3 million non-smokers uncovered to second-hand smoke. In Africa, the state of affairs is especially worrying, as greater than 10 per cent of youngsters are already people who smoke, and the quantity continues to develop.
In the course of the ceremony, the Secretary of State for Public Well being, Prof Dr Carlos Pinto de Sousa, highlighted the significance of the date as a second to resume commitments: ‘World No Tobacco Day is a chance to reaffirm our dedication to public well being and the safety of our inhabitants.
The ceremony included the presentation of prizes to the winners of the tenth nationwide essay and drawing competitors, organised by the Nationwide Institute for the Battle in opposition to Medication (INALUD). Underneath the identical slogan as the worldwide marketing campaign, ‘Unmask the Engaging’, the initiative inspired younger individuals to creatively specific the hidden risks behind the tobacco trade’s advertising methods.
Representing the WHO in Angola, Dr Fernanda Alves made it recognized that in Angola, tobacco consumption is on the rise, particularly amongst younger individuals aged 15 to 49, including that, ‘international information signifies that 14.3% of Angolan males and 1.8% of Angolan ladies eat tobacco, and lots of achieve this day by day. This development instantly threatens the nation’s well being and sustainable improvement.’
“Merchandise with candy flavours, vibrant packaging, and interesting promoting are used to deceive and appeal to younger individuals. We should put an finish to this phantasm. We want stronger laws, agency public insurance policies, and a society united in saying Sufficient is sufficient”, stated Dr Fernanda Alves.
The WHO officer additionally warned of the devastating environmental results of tobacco manufacturing, similar to deforestation, water, air air pollution and the technology of poisonous waste, and bolstered the group’s suggestions for curbing the smoking epidemic, together with: a) A ban on flavours and components that make merchandise extra enticing; b) A complete ban on promoting, promotion and sponsorship, together with on social media; c) Regulation of design and packaging to scale back visible attraction; d) Steady public schooling, with a concentrate on younger individuals, about the actual dangers of consumption; e) Elevated taxes on tobacco merchandise; f) Simpler entry to smoking cessation providers and habit therapy; e) Strengthened enforcement of legal guidelines banning smoking in public locations.
The ceremony ended with a tribute to the kids and younger individuals collaborating, recognising their important function in constructing a tobacco-free future: “Your creativity exhibits us that it’s attainable to dream of a world with out tobacco. Your voice is highly effective. Hold speaking, creating, inspiring. You’re the technology that may change the course of historical past”, stated Dr Fernanda Alves.