The first ever virtual Tobacco Control Networking platform for Africa (NWAP) has been hosted by CTCA. The forum, launched on August 27, is aimed at enhancing information sharing, knowledge and country experience among government tobacco control focal points .
The inaugural discussion that focused on the implementation of the ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship ( TAPS) was convened by WHO AFRO and moderated by Prof. Robert Machangu. Kenya’s TC Focal Point, Dorcas Kiptui, shared Kenya’s experience in implementing TAPS ban. Nine countries including Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, Zambia, and Mozambique participated in the symposium.
According to Ms. Dorcas Kiptui, MOH Kenya, the foundation for Kenya’s success mainly lies in the existence of a comprehensive TC legislation which puts a total ban on both direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship for all forms of tobacco products. She said the ban also covers all types of media including electronic and print, as well as all forms of communication channels, to cater for the emerging technology. The persons liable for offense include the Tobacco Industry, the media/ channel of dissemination, as well as the person disseminating the adverts. She stressed the need for capacity building for enforcers as well as creating public awareness to ensure the public does not support TAPS. Ms. Kitpui hailed the role of Civil Society in Kenya which she said has been very instrumental.
Ms. Joyce Nato, WHO Country Office Kenya, noted that one of the key challenges has been the fact that other government ministries have not appreciated tobacco control as an area that concerns them. The other challenge faced by Kenya is the monitoring of compliance.
South Africa also reported to have a comprehensive law which extends the ban on TAPS to the Point of sale, while in Botswana, the ban includes outdoor advertising. Ghana also shared their experience and noted that includes all media houses and bill boards. In the case of Uganda,
Noteworthy is the fact that all the participating countries are implementing some form of ban on TAPS. Countries like Uganda shared that they are working towards the enactment of a comprehensive law, but are implementing a ban on TAPS, while Zambia is implementing through a directive from the MOH. Nigeria has a comprehensive law focusing on all the FCTC articles, including a ban on TAPS and this covers both the electronic and print media.
The participants noted that one of the cross cutting challenges is the enforcement of a comprehensive ban on TAPS as well as the interference from the Tobacco Industry which tries to resist the ban. Gambia specifically noted that there is no comprehensive law banning TAPS and that the government needs to be supported to ban TAPS.
The virtual TC networking forum will meet once every quarter and will be held separately for French and English Speaking countries. The date for the French Forum for this quarter will soon be announced.