Human behavior

Tobacco consumption in South Africa has fallen for eight consecutive years since 1991, a meeting to discuss the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control heard in Sandton, Johannesburg, on the 12th of March. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Derek Yach, of the World Health Organisation, said this was a result of sustained tobacco control measures. He said in 1998-99 more than 30 billion cigarettes were released for consumption, down by 17 percent from the 36 billion released in 1993-94. The work of public health advocates in South Africa thrived. Led by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South Africa's tobacco control story is now a shining example for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of public excellence and political courage. The 11th World Conference on Tobacco held last year in Chicago saluted this leadership with an award recognising her exemplary courage, Yach said. Crucially, the declines have been most significant among the poorest and the youngest groups in the country. New laws banning smoking in public places and the complete ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, which is being incrementally introduced this year, are likely to push the rates down even faster, he added. Yach dismissed claims that tobacco control would lead to job losses. (Source: Sowetan, 13 March 2001)

The health department may ask the police to conduct blitzes of businesses ignoring the anti-smoking regulations, Parliament's health portfolio committee heard on 27/02.

The Adapting to Change Learning Program is launching two eight-week distance learning (DL) courses titled New Agendas for Poverty Reduction Strategies: Integrating Gender and Health aimed at high level officials and policy makers working in national governments, local and international NGOs, international agencies, and academic institutions. The course is highly recommended for government officials and others involved in developing Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) for PRS. The DL courses will be offered once a week for four hours (one hour on-site off line, and three hours videoconferencing between multiple sites) and will use material directly relevant to sub-Saharan Africa. The first course will be offered in English in Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda over eight weeks from 20 February to 10 April 2001. The second course will be offered in French in Benin, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal from 23 April to 11 June 2001. For more information, contact Marguerite Monnet : mailto:mmonnet@worldbank.org or Marilyn Lauglo : mailto:mlauglo@worldbank.org.

The World Health Organisation has slammed the organisers of the big music concert due to be held at the Johannesburg Stadium this weekend as “irresponsible” for allowing the concert to be sponsored by a tobacco company.

We have a vacancy for an experienced Human Resources Manager at our Head office in Durban. The successful applicant must have excellent communication and writing skills and should have the ability to work independently.

New anti-tobacco laws come into effect today (28/9), a few days earlier than anticipated.

South Africa's controversial and long-awaited tobacco law – the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act – comes into effect on October 1 this year, banning smoking in public places.

South Africa's Ministry of Health has been chosen as one of the winners of new international awards for tobacco control heroes. The awards, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will be presented next week as part of the 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health, in Chicago.

Soliciting sex on the Internet is associated with a higher risk of STDs.

Despite a shorter life span, the typical smoker cost healthcare systems more than a non-smoker, it was revealed in a new research at Holland's Erasmus University.