Sharon Nyatsanza (PhD), National Council Against Smoking (NCAS)
The HIV virus compromises the immune system, and smoking weakens it further. Tobacco use in people living with HIV increases the risk of death and worsens health outcomes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 24% of HIV-related deaths are attributable to smoking. Consequently, it is concerning that a high percentage of people living with HIV use tobacco products. A study published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal found that an estimated 30% of people living with HIV in South Africa use tobacco products. 

Health organisations forming the #protectournext movement have called for a 100% increase in tobacco tax ahead of the mid-term budget speech next week.  A significant increase can make tobacco products less affordable, reducing consumption, improving public health, reducing the already heavy burden on the health system and adding to state revenue, say the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), CANSA, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA.

September is Heart Awareness Month, culminating on World Heart Day (WHD) on 29 September.  Protect our Next, a coalition of health organisations supporting better tobacco control, is shining a spotlight on tobacco consumption as a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the tobacco control measures in South Africa that could help prevent unnecessary CVD and other deaths. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), heart disease and strokes have the second highest mortality rate in South Africa, after TB, HIV and AIDS. CVDs are responsible for one in five deaths, with over 82 000 lives lost annually. 

The temporary ban on the sale of tobacco products was lifted at midnight, 17 August, based on the reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions, as well as the recovery rate, among other indicators.  Some key health and associated organisations have responded by emphasising that the ban was always a temporary measure, again calling for the Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill to finally be passed. 

The National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa and South African Medical Research Council (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit) are using the “Protect our next” campaign to call for updating the tobacco control legislation in South Africa by passing the Control of Tobacco and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill and to get public support for the Bill. The campaign will also educate the public on tobacco-related harm and encourage people to stop smoking.