Patience Makwele
Namibia is moving to tighten laws on e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products as part of efforts to strengthen tobacco control.
The deputy minister of health, Susan Ndjaleka, said the government is reviewing the Tobacco Products Control Act to close gaps in regulation.
She was speaking at the Africa Tobacco Control Core Partners Biannual Coordination meeting in Windhoek on Tuesday.
“We are in the process of amending the Tobacco Product Control Act to address emerging tobacco products,” Ndjaleka said.
She said Namibia is also working towards joining the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products to curb the black market and protect public revenue.
The meeting brought together partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
It comes as Africa is being targeted by tobacco companies as regulations tighten in other regions.
WHO country representative Richard Banda said the continent is at a turning point, with about 61 million tobacco users.
Health experts said enforcement remains a challenge.
Public health expert Nalucha Mulenga said Namibia has laws in place, but implementation is weak.
“Namibia has a reasonable legislative foundation, but legislation alone is insufficient without robust enforcement,” Mulenga said.
“The gap between policy and practice is a persistent challenge.”
She said stronger monitoring and compliance are needed and warned about growing use of new nicotine products among young people.
“E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are aggressively marketed through social media platforms that reach young Namibians directly,” she said.
“What makes this particularly dangerous is the perception among young people that these products are harmless.”
Mulenga said this perception increases the risk.
“The burden is substantial and largely preventable. Tobacco use is a primary driver of non-communicable diseases, placing increasing strain on Namibia’s health infrastructure,” she said.
She said smoking is also worsening conditions such as tuberculosis.
Illicit tobacco trade remains a concern.
“Smuggled and counterfeit tobacco products are sold at prices that bypass taxation entirely,” Mulenga said.
“When consumers can access cheap, unregulated cigarettes, the deterrent effect of official pricing is neutralised.”
She said Namibia’s role as a transit economy increases the risk.
Globally, tobacco use kills more than seven million people each year, including over one million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
Mulenga said urgent action is needed.
“The window to regulate new nicotine products before they become normalised among Namibia’s youth is narrowing rapidly. Acting decisively now is significantly more cost-effective than managing the consequences later,” she said.
On the ground, these products remain easy to access. A vape shop owner in Windhoek said demand is rising, especially among young people.
“I have been selling these products for about two years now and the demand is very high, especially from students and young people. We have never had complaints. These products are safer than cigarettes, and for them.”
He said enforcement is not consistent. “We hear about the rules, but inspections are not consistent because most businesses like ours are operating.”
He also raised concerns about the impact of stricter rules on livelihoods.
“If the government shuts down or restricts these products, what happens to us? This is our livelihood. I have employees who depend on this business, and they have families to feed,” he said.
He admitted it is difficult to control access by minors.
“Young people send older friends to buy for them, or they come in looking older. It’s not always possible to verify every customer because even if we start asking for ID to identify their ages, it will still not work because anyone can use anyone’s ID.”
A 19-year-old student said vaping is common among young people.
“It’s very common. Almost everyone I know has tried it and we honestly have no problem with them. I personally believe cigarettes are the most dangerous because vaping is just something you do socially.”
The meeting is expected to end tomorrow.
