When compared to other nations, South Africa still has a high smoking prevalence, with daily smokers averaging 8.5 cigarettes.
The Department of Health released the South Africa report for the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) on Thursday.
According to the most current GATS data, which was gathered from 7 245 households, 29.4% of South Africans report using tobacco products.
Additionally, the results showed that compared to women (17.9%), a larger proportion of men (41.7%) than women currently use tobacco.
According to lead investigator Dr. Catherine Egbe of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), 21.2% of South African adults smoke every day, and 4.6% smoke once in a while.
The Northern Cape has the highest tobacco prevalence, followed by the Western Cape, while Limpopo has the lowest.
Turning her attention to the age at which tobacco use began, Egbe reported that among persons in the 20–34 age range, the average age of commencement was 17.6 years old.
In the meanwhile, smoking began before the age of 15 for 20.9% of city dwellers and 13.5% of rural residents.
Furthermore, according to Egbe, 33.9% of regular tobacco users smoke as soon as they wake up.
Hookah pipes and e-cigarettes
In the meantime, 2.2% of respondents—3.8% of men and 0.7% of women—said they were currently smoking e-cigarettes.
Of those who use e-cigarettes, 70.3% reported enjoying the product, 67.5% reported flavor, 45.1% thought it was less dangerous than tobacco, and 43.5% claimed that using e-cigarettes was influenced by friends or family who also use them.
3.1% of respondents in the research also admitted to smoking hubbly bubbly or hookah pipes.
“Those who have ever smoked a water pipe had an average age of initiation of 21.1 years,” according to Egbe.
The average age of initiation for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 was 17.3.
Giving Up
Among individuals who smoke, 80.9% have tried quitting on their own, 4.1% have used medication, and 42.9% have had advise to quit from their doctor.
Additionally, data indicates that 74.4% of people who went to public locations were subjected to secondhand smoke (SHS) at nightclubs, taverns, bars, or shebeens.
at contrast, 19.9% of students encountered SHS at schools, 16.0% in postsecondary institutions, and 11.3% in cafes.
According to data, women spent about R207.20 on cigarettes each month, while males spent somewhat more, R273.20.
Governmental actions
Jeanette Hunter, Deputy Director of General Primary Healthcare at the Department of Health, has observed a rise in the usage of vapes, e-cigarettes, and hookahs, especially among youth.
Despite being heavily promoted as healthier nicotine alternatives, studies have shown that using e-cigarettes, hookah pipes, hubbly bubbly, or shisha has health concerns. This was stated by Hunter.
According to her, countries should take action and implement policies to limit the use of these new-generation products because scientists have produced sufficient proof.
“We as a nation changed the Tobacco Product Control Act, Act 83 of 1993, to include the regulation of the use of electronic delivery methods because of this reason. The parliamentary processes for this amendment bill are now underway.
Hunter also expressed worry about the earlier age at which folks are beginning to smoke.
“It’s disappointing to learn that only 42.9% of smokers reported receiving advice to stop smoking from a healthcare professional.”
According to Hunter, the agency has since determined that tobacco cessation programs at primary healthcare facilities are necessary, and the viability of these programs is being investigated.
Hunter also emphasized the significance of the suggested smoking ban in enclosed areas, following the discovery that 44.5% of South African adults are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Egbe, however, emphasized the significance of enacting smoke-free regulations, tobacco prices, graphic health warnings, and complete prohibitions on tobacco advertising and promotion as part of the recommendations in order to lower the initiation of smoking, especially among youth.
“More people should be protected from SHS exposure by implementing effective strategies to reduce tobacco use, such as enacting more comprehensive laws that comply with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Additionally, more people who smoke should be assisted in quitting by providing cessation services,” stated Egbe.
Furthermore, Egbe thinks that the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill of 2022, if passed by Parliament, would lessen the burden of tobacco-related diseases and long-term tobacco usage.
