NPC

The second Tobacco Industry Interference Index report for South Africa shows an improvement from a score of 72 in 2018 to 58 in 2019. The report forms part of the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, an initiative of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance and is produced by the Global Centre for Good governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC). The index reviews governments efforts to protect public health policies from tobacco industry influence. Recognizing that the Tobacco industry’s commercial interests are irreconcilable with public health interests.

 

In 2018 S.A was ranked 72 showing high industry interference, other countries like Kenya ranked 33 and Uganda was ranked 29. The higher the score, the higher the level of interference.

 

Tobacco still claims 42 100 South African lives annually and the devastating costs on the health system, economy and society stifle development and perpetuate poverty. 

 

The tobacco industry is at the center of the tobacco epidemic, for decades they continue to promote deadly products without regard for social costs and human tragedy. They continue to use their financial muscle to pushback efforts to curb the epidemic, delaying and challenging better policies. 

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The report gives a wide range of recommendations for South Africa to adopt if it is to reduce and ultimately stop tobacco industry interference with public health policy.

 

See the full report below.

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