Headline News
Staff Reporter | July 1, 2002

A vital step that necessitates stern execution

CAIRO, July 1-The World Health Organization has welcomed the recent amendments adopted by the Egyptian People's Assembly with regard to the 1981 tobacco control law #52.  These amendments are considered a crucial step in the on-going fight against smoking epidemic and the attempts to contain it.  The World Health Organization foresees that the clauses concerned with the complete banning of tobacco advertising in the print and broadcast media are key elements in protecting the young from falling into the deadly and addictive smoking habit.

Over the past years, there have been numerous attempts to ban the marketing activities undertaken by the tobacco companies to lure young people into the smoking trap early on, before they are old enough and mature enough to make an informed choice.  However, these attempts have been faced with constant setbacks that have prohibited the passing of any laws.  Henceforth, this latest development is undoubtedly a victory as well as an important step in tobacco control efforts, said Dr. Hussein A. Gezairy, the World Health Organization's Regional Director.  He added:  "We had hoped that a pricing strategy clause would be included over and above the recent amendments specific to raising cigarette prices so that a percentage would be taken to support newspapers and magazines thus minimizing the anticipated losses that they will face due to the shortage that will result in advertising materials."

This is not such a new idea, as it was implemented in Australia when a portion of the price increase on cigarettes was allocated to supporting and reinforcing the press to aid them in disseminating health message as well as reimburse them for the partial income losses that arose from the complete advertising ban.

The World Health Organization has also highlighted the importance of the other clauses that were included in the amendments such as the prohibition of sale of tobacco products to those below 18 years of age.  "Nevertheless, we hope that the tobacco companies do not take this to mean that smoking is acceptable to those above the age of 18;  smoking is lethal whether the individual is 18 years old or whether he is 80 years old," said Dr. Gezairy.

The amendments approved by the Egyptian People's Assembly with regard to tobacco control law were submitted by Dr. Hamdy El-Sayed, Head of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate and Member of the People's Assembly.  The amendments also included the enforcement of a larger health warning on cigarette packs that reads "warning:  smoking diminishes health and causes death." This warning has been designated to occupy at least one-third of the front of the pack.  Also included in the clauses of the law are firm punishments that will be forced in case of failure to abide to any of the clauses of the law.

Implementing the law is as important as issuing it, stressed Dr. Gezairy. However, he also added that he has utmost confidence in all sectors involved and in their commitments to the well-being and health of their citizens.  They will undoubtedly work hard to execute and implement the law as well as come up with the relevant resources to ensure its solid implementation, such as through providing benefits to those who will help in implementing it.

Every year, smoking causes four million deaths worldwide, and strikes down tens of millions of people with deadly diseases, which include various cancers, coronary and respiratory diseases and tuberculosis as well as many more.  Egypt is among the countries with the heaviest consumption of tobacco products.  Sources indicate that Egyptians smoke more than 60 billion cigarettes per year and that they spend approximately three billion Egyptian pounds every year on tobacco.  Additionally, the prevalence of smoking among children is estimated to be 20% and the number of consumers grows by 9% every year. (Source: WHO)

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