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SATFYF in collaboration with TUT hosts the Youth for Tobacco
Control Imbizo

Publish Date:

July 25, 2022

The South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum (SATFYF), in collaboration with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), will host a Youth for Tobacco Control Imbizo on July 26 at the Pretoria Campus. The goal of SATFYF’s Youth 4 Tobacco Control Imbizo, themed “The Harsh Reality of Tobacco for South Africa’s Youth,” is to reframe and correct the youth’s perceptions of tobacco products and their use. However, with this Imbizo, we intend to focus on the Tobacco Bill of 2018 (TC Bill) to sensitize the youth on its importance, thus amplifying youth voices to push for the TC Bill’s prioritization. Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Deputy Minister of Health, is one of our key speakers.

SATFYF is a formidable network of vibrant, young people who are actively championing for tobacco control in our South African communities. Through the forum, we encourage youth advocates to join the revolution in reaching a goal that is far bigger than ourselves. By 2030, we believe we will see a generation of South African youth who lead a tobacco-free lifestyle.

The forum advocates on behalf of South African youth and those who have been affected by tobacco-related products from a physical, mental, or emotional perspective. Tobacco users are addicted to nicotine because they have not been informed about the dangers of tobacco. Every day, thousands of non-smokers across our country are affected by second-hand smoking. We are advocating for change, and the revolution on tobacco starts now.

The Forum’s goal is to educate, inform, and influence change for a smoke-free generation in our lifetime. Our first biggest milestone is to support the global treaty of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by means of advocating for the passing of the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, 2018 in South Africa. To achieve this, SATFYF is mobilising and encouraging passionate youth to stand with us in advocating for the speedy processing of the Tobacco Control Bill, 2018. 

According to the World Health Organization, there are 8 million tobacco-related deaths worldwide each year. In a developing country like South Africa, different types of smoking among young people are likely to skyrocket. As the tobacco industry focuses its marketing efforts on enticing young people with a cool and edgy lifestyle, romanticizing smoking will only leave a bitter taste in the mouths of future societies.

For these and other reasons, the South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum has pledged to actively advocate for tobacco control in South Africa, including the passing of the Control on Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill of 2018. (TC Bill).

EVENT ACTIVITIES

To achieve our project goals, we intend to engage the youth through the following activities: 

  1. An activation at the campus’s student hotspot 
  • SATFYF will engage the youth on tobacco control and hand out pamphlets. The aim of this activation is to create awareness on the dangers of tobacco use as well as to gain signatures on our pledge campaign that will be officially launching at the Imbizo.
  1. Deputy Minister Address
  • The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo will engage the youth on the health impacts of tobacco products and the tactics of the tobacco industry.
  1. Youth Voices on Tobacco Control
  • Two of our Spokespersons from our Gauteng Youth Chapter (Tshwane and Ekurhuleni) will be delivering speeches under the theme: Tobacco Control: The Burdens and The Bill
  1. Youth Symposium
  • Using key points that arose from our session, we will hold a 45-minute conversation with the youth. Most of this engagement will focus on the current tobacco-control landscape of South Africa, and why it is especially crucial that the Tobacco Control Bill of 2018 be passed urgently.
  1. Signature Campaign
  • The Forum will officially launch its pledge in support of the bill. Everyone in attendance will be encouraged to sign; the pledge will then be handed over to the Deputy Minister

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:

Sanele Zulu, Convenor: South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum

sanele@tosaca.co.za

061 538 8742

Media Contact:
Xolisile Dlou

xoli@tosaca.co.za

072 5130682

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