The Ministry of Health and Social Services are busy with nationwide public consultative meetings on the proposed amendments to Namibia’s Tobacco Products Control Act of 2010.

As per the Ministry, public-health concerns include growing appeal among young people and non-smokers, addiction potential and re-normalisation of nicotine use, misleading harm-reduction claims, risk of eroding existing tobacco-control gains, further noting that evidence remains insufficient to treat these products as safe alternatives. The key goals focused on in the proposed amendments include the regulation of new nicotine products such as electronic cigarettes, vapes, shisha (hookah), heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. Stricter rules regarding the improvement of smoke-free public spaces, enforcement structures, and age verification to stop sales to minors under 18 are also in the pipeline.

The Ministry further aims to get on par with global standards, aligning national laws with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. During the consultative meeting at the Ministry of Fisheries’ premises in Swakopmund earlier this week, Erongo Governor, Dr Nathalia /Goagoses, in her remarks noted that “our children are being turned into zombies,” referring to the availability of conventional tobacco products, as well as new products such as vapes, e-cigarettes, hubbly bubbly etcetera to underaged children. She urged businesses to support the proposed amendments and try to find other means of generating an income, further expressing her disappointment in the absence of the business community at the meeting. Governor /Goagoses minced no words when spinning the tobacco issue straight to drug abuse, directly addressing Nampol representatives and churches. “We [you] know exactly where the drug houses are. We must eliminate drug houses, what are we waiting for?” she fumed.

The chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Lazarus Kanelombe, in his welcoming remarks, emphasised the fact that this issue is a shared responsibility. The deadline for all concerns, suggestions, inputs etcetera is 15 September 2026 and can be send in writing to the Erongo Health Director’s office. Public feedback from these nationwide sessions will help shape the final amendment bill before it moves forward in parliament.

By Marshallino Beukes