Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Health minister Esperance Luvindao says while tobacco cessation programmes exist in Namibia, they are not yet effective or systematic.
She made the remarks on Monday, during a parliamentary workshop on tobacco and alcohol tax reforms held in Windhoek.
“Cessation is integrated into the substance use disorder treatment programme. However, application is not systematic, and we are committed to finalising the guidelines for tobacco cessation and strengthening the tobacco cessation programme,” Luvindao said.
The tobacco product control act of 2010 and its 2014 regulations provide a legal framework for tobacco control, including bans on advertising and health warnings on packaging. However, Luvindao said more work is needed to make quitting support more accessible and effective.
She also stressed the importance of leadership and public awareness in reducing tobacco and alcohol use. “Transformational leadership at all levels needs to be well informed about the provisions of the national law and, most important, the dangers associated with consumption of the products, in order to raise community awareness,” she said.
The ministry has developed a brief intervention programme to help identify and assist tobacco users early.
This intervention will be extended to schools under the school health programme.
“Tobacco and alcohol use continues to burden our health system, and it is among the contributing factors to preventable illness and deaths,” Luvindao said.
World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr Richard Banda said tobacco use is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, which account for an estimated 41% of deaths in Namibia.
“Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are the key risk factors leading to the development of noncommunicable diseases,” Banda said.
He also noted Namibia’s high alcohol consumption, which stands at 12 litres per person per year—more than double the regional and global averages.
The health ministry is currently reviewing the Tobacco Product Control Act to address emerging nicotine products such as hookah, vapes, and e-cigarettes.
Last month, a video circulated online showing a young girl being given hubbly-bubbly, or hookah, allegedly by a close family member. The father was later arrested.
Recent reports show that tobacco and nicotine products like hookah and vapes are gaining popularity among Namibian youth.
The workshop aims to inform lawmakers about tax reforms and other evidence-based strategies that can reduce harmful tobacco and alcohol use and improve public health.
