Assessment of compliance to Tobacco products control Act of 2010 after its implementation at public premises of Oshakati town, Namibia

Tobacco use is a top leading cause of preventable death in the world and a risk factor for several non-communicable diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. Smoking imposes a heavy economic burden throughout the world and Namibia is not an exemption with a prevalence of 21, 8% of smokers (men) and 5.9% (women).To control the global smoking burden, the WHO introduced measures which will help to reduce tobacco consumption and protect all people from tobacco exposure through provisions that direct countries to implement tobacco control programs. To protect people from Tobacco use epidemic in Namibia Tobacco Product Control Act was signed and passed by the President on 19th of March 2010. The regulation relating to smoking of tobacco products in public places was gazetted and implemented in 2014. This study was conducted to examine and assess compliance level of trade premises with the Tobacco Control Act of 2010 and its regulations in Oshakati Town. A cross sectional descriptive study was employed using a quantitative approach. All 378 trade premises whose license were renewed by 31st March 2017 were included in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and observational checklist, entered in Microsoft Excel and exported into EPI -info 7.2 software for analysis. The overall compliance level was determined to be 35.98 % and non-compliance was 64.02%. Majority of the respondents (85.19%) indicated they are aware of the existence of the tobacco product control Act but indicated that lack of inspection by local authority as the main challenge affecting them to fully implement and adhere to the act. The level of Adherence compliance with the Acts regulations was found to be very low in trade premises of Oshakati. Despite the premises demonstrating high awareness rate, the town council management need to increase more awareness by doing regular talks using the radio and as well as to do regular inspection and continue strengthening the implementation to ensure high adherence by both premises in charges and clients.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Namibia

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Pangwashime, Ndilimeke Muudikange

• Tobacco products control
• Compliance
• Trade premises
• Retailers awareness

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3206

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.unam.edu.na:11070/3206