The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Agnes Binagwaho has revealed that the country’s public consumption levels of tobacco have relatively gone down compared to the previous years.

"Through various programmes such as sensitization campaigns on radio, billboards and stickers among others, the government has successfully managed to discourage people from smoking tobacco in public and in turn the levels have gone down.”

"We can not however reveal any statistics yet as these will be highlighted during the World Health Day celebrations that are set for next month,” Binagwaho told the Sunday Times.

As the world marks the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) today, the health expert also emphasizes that using tobacco is not only harmful to the life of the consumer but also a health threat to those around the individual.

Citing pregnant women as the most vulnerable people, she also called upon all mothers to be responsible and protect their unborn from this health threat. She added that the government is very committed to curbing public smoking.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the WNTD campaigns for a total ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship by the tobacco industry.

The organization attributes this drive to the national-level studies that were conducted before and after advertising bans which showed a decline in tobacco consumption of up to 16 percent.

In relation to this year’s theme "Tobacco Health Warnings,” WHO encourages governments to adopt tobacco health warnings that meet all the criteria for maximal effectiveness.

These include covering more than half of the cigarette packet with the health warning and ensuring that they appear, with clear pictures, on the front and back of the packet.

Binagwaho affirmed government’s commitment towards this initiative as a measure that will further lower public use of tobacco.

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