Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

Overview of tobacco control activities in Botswana The Government of Botswana has long recognized and accepted the need to sensitize its population to the harmful effects of tobacco. The Primary Health Care approach, adopted in the 1970s in Botswana after the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration emphasized this requirement. However, the theme “Tobacco or Health”, launching the first World No Tobacco Day on 7 April 1988 in Botswana, marked the beginning of an intensive anti-tobacco campaign in the country. Since then, World No Tobacco Day has been held annually on 31 May. The commemoration of World No-Tobacco Days together with other educational programmes aimed at different sectors of the population and the general public, have contributed to sensitizing the general public about tobacco products’ harmful effects on human health and fostered a positive political climate. This has led to the development of a comprehensive tobacco control programme in Botswana.