Every year around 9,300 people die in the country due to diseases associated with tobacco consumption, according to data from a study released yesterday by the Ministry of Health in Maputo.

The study points out that 731% of the victims are adults over the age of 70 and 14% of tobacco-related deaths are of passive smokers.

Associated deaths include from diseases related to tobacco consumption [tuberculosis, ischemic heart infections, lower respiratory infections, chronic pulmonary abstraction disease, stroke].

As a result of this scenario, the country loses 11.7 billion Meticais a year on the costs of this substance, in addition to the loss of 900 million Meticais invested in health expenditure, said the deputy national director of public health, Aleny Couto.

"The 2019 results show that 900 million meticais were invested in health-related expenses and 10.8 billion in indirect economic losses due to premature deaths, illnesses and 'smoking breaks' in the workplace," he said.

She was speaking yesterday at the launch of the report entitled Tobacco Investment Case.

He stressed that "if we invest now in tobacco control measures, it will be possible to save 53,300 lives and 45 billion meticais in health costs and economic losses by the year 2037".

The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Severin Xylandea, was quoted by AIM as saying that tobacco is one of the main preventable causes of illness and death and that there is therefore a need to expand national tobacco control efforts in the country.

The WHO recommends the urgent approval of the Law for Tobacco Control in Mozambique to protect public health in Mozambique.

According to Xylandea, the measures include adopting comprehensive and effective legislation, increasing taxes on tobacco products and making them less accessible, especially for young people and teenagers.

Other measures include a total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, the adoption of standardized packaging and more effective health warnings.

"The benefits of strict legislation go far beyond health. Worldwide experience shows that tobacco control measures result in improvements in the national economy, increased productivity and a reduction in the burden on the health system.

By prioritizing this agenda, Mozambique will not only save lives, but also strengthen its sustainable development path," he said.

Image DR