Rather plant crops that can be used for food, than planting tobacco.
The theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day, which was on Wednesday (31/05), is “We Need Food, Not Tobacco”.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) wholeheartedly supports the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign to create global awareness around the negative consequences of tobacco farming and the use thereof.
Government and policy makers are encouraged to motivate the advantages of substituting tobacco with nutritious and sustainable alternative crops, making resources available to local tobacco farmers who wish to switch crops.
Lorraine Govender, CANSA national manager for Health Promotion, explains.
“The true cost of tobacco is devastating. The damage extends to the environment, affecting agriculture and food security, personal health, and the economy.
“Tobacco-related illnesses cost the South African economy approximately R42 million per year due to loss of productivity, associated healthcare costs and premature deaths.”
Govender says tobacco is the known cause of 17 smoking-related illnesses and non-communicable diseases, and 14 types of cancer. Of these illnesses, colorectal, lung, and cervical feature in the top five cancers affecting South Africans.
CANSA has issued a challenge to individuals to consider whether the cost to their wallet, the economy, their personal health, or the health of loved ones through secondhand smoking is worth the use of tobacco products and encourages smokers to quit.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), 6,8 million people in South Africa are hungry and food insecure, while the Global Adult Tobacco Survey found that South African smokers spend an average of R263 on cigarettes each month.
