Rendez-vous 177 - December 19, 2008
Thank you Zemenfes for accepting our rendez-vous.
Q1. May I ask you first to introduce yourself by telling us a little about your personal background (education, professional experience) and when, how and why you got involved in tobacco control?
Zemenfes Tsighe: I am an Economic Geographer by profession, and currently I teach various courses in Human and Economic Geography at the College of Arts and Social Sciences. I graduated with BA and MA degrees from Addis Ababa University; I obtained my PhD from the University of Trieste, Italy, in 1998.
Before I left for my PhD studies in December 1994, I taught at the Department of Geography, Addis Ababa University, with the rank of Assistant Professor II.
I also worked as research coordinator for the Social Sciences in the Research and Publications Office of Addis Ababa University for one year (1989/90 Academic Year). Before that (1982-88) I served Bahir Dar Teacher’s College (A Branch College of Addis Ababa University at that time) in various capacities including as head of the Department of Geography and member of the Academic Senate of Addis Ababa University.
After completing my PhD studies, I joined the University of Asmara, and served it in various capacities: Head of the Department of Geography, Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, Director of Research, and Acting Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Currently, I am the Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee of the College of Arts and Social Sciences as well as the Graduate Programme Committee of Eritrea Institute of Technology (EIT).
I was motivated by my recent reading in the social and economic consequences of certain diseases like HIV/AIDS, which indirectly introduced me to the health hazards of tobacco use. I was shocked to discover that tobacco kills every year more people than HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TBC combined. When I came across the ATSA call for proposals, I decided to use that opportunity to tackle the tobacco epidemic in Eritrea. When I approached and invited some of my colleagues and experts in the Ministry of Health to prepare and submit a proposal, the idea was accepted with enthusiasm, and our LOI was favourably considered by ATSA.
Q2. You attended COP3 in Durban. What are the main lessons you brought home? What impact can COP3 have in Eritrea?
Zemenfes Tsighe: I was impressed by the commitment of the international community (WHO, WB, Non-governmental and civil societies, CBO, etc.) to curb the tobacco epidemic and the various mechanisms and guidelines that CPO3 is instituting to neutralize the machinations of the tobacco industries in particular.
The death clock will continue to remind us what the results will be under conditions of inaction.
The initiative taken by some countries to use graphic health warnings was also very enlightening. Not withstanding the reluctance of some governments to passing laws to control tobacco use, the presence of tobacco control laws in many countries is also very encouraging.
The lunch-time presentations and discussions exposed us to share the experiences of various countries.
However, I strongly believe that ultimate victory over tobacco use and its promoters/sponsors will be achieved through relentless education and sensitization of the public with special focus on the youth.
Q3. How do you assess the prevalence of tobacco smoking in Eritrea?
Zemenfes Tsighe: The current prevalence rate of smoking and tobacco use in general is still low, but there are indications that this may increase substantially in the near future if preventive measures are not taken in time.
According to surveys taken in 2004, about 8% of the sampled population smoked, of which 7.2% smoked on daily basis. The prevalence of daily smoking among women was 0.9%.
Over 87% of smokers used manufactured cigarettes while 1.2% used hand-rolled cigarettes; the rest used other types like pipes.
The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was 2.9%.
The prevalence rates show significant variation by age group and regions.
Although the current prevalence rates are low, there are serious apprehensions that tobacco use may spread rapidly among the population, especially among the youth if preventive measures are not taken.
Rapid urbanization, changes in lifestyles, improved purchasing power, social/family disruptions, tolerances of tobacco use by some social segments, falsely perceived superior behavior associated with smoking, smuggling, implicit promotional activities, etc. are some of the factors that may create conditions conducive to tobacco use.
Q4. Eritrea is among the countries selected in the ATSA project managed by IDRC and funded by the Gates Foundation. Can you tell us what are your Objectives for Eritrea, what your priorities are, who are the project Partners?
Zemenfes Tsighe: The Eritrean Team is working on Tobacco Free School Environment.
The goal is to make Eritrean schools and institutes of higher education tobacco free by 2012. Schools provide an ideal entry point to prevent the tobacco epidemic in Eritrea, particularly when considering that Eritrea has a juvenile population (almost half of the Eritrean population is below the age of 14 years).
The school age is when the youth are most inclined to start smoking. The survey conducted in 2004 revealed that 41.5% of the smokers started smoking below the age of 19. Educating and creating awareness about the health hazards of tobacco use in schools could, thus, be a potent preventive measure to curb the spread of tobacco use among the Eritrean population.
This will allow to cultivate anti-tobacco use behavior at an early stage that would grow with them and become part of their life style. Moreover, since students come from every segments of society, they could act as good messengers and anti-tobacco champions by disseminating the adverse health effects of tobacco use among the population.
Q5. Mauritius and South Africa are in the process of having graphic warnings on cigarette packs. Do you think such a measure could take place in Eritrea in the near future?
Zemenfes Tsighe: The issue of graphic warning was raised in the Country Consultancy Meeting, and participants stressed the need for, and relevance of, graphic warning in Eritrea.
The rate of illiteracy is about 39% among males and 53% among females, indicating the limited coverage of text health warning messages in the country. The Ministry of Health is aware of the limitations of text health warning messages and fully recognizes the need for, and importance of, graphic health messages.
The research team will continue to lobby for graphic health warnings.
Q6. Is there anything else you like to add?
Zemenfes Tsighe: I do not have any thing to add, but I would like to express my thanks for giving me this opportunity to share my views with ATSA teams and the anti-tobacco community as a whole.
Thank you Zemenfes for having taken the time to answer our questions.
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