Issues Lesotho

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Lesotho. Every year, more than 2500 of its people are killedby tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 2000 children (10-14 years old) and 284000 adults (15+ years old)continue to use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industryin Lesotho and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out toother communities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

42.3%More men smoke in Lesotho thanon average in low-HDI countries.

Female

0.3%Even though fewer women smoke inLesotho than on average in low-HDIcountries, there are still more than2000 women who smoke cigaretteseach day, making it an ongoing anddire public health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

2.04%More boys smoke in Lesotho than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Girls

0.41%More girls smoke in Lesotho than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

11.31%More men die in Lesotho than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Female

3.66%More women die in Lesotho than onaverage in low-HDI countries.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Lesotho amounts to 78million loti. This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related tolost productivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

10.5% More people use smokeless tobaccoin Lesotho than on average in low-HDI countries.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion,13253% larger than the Gross National Income ofLesotho. The industry is a powerful force that does notfear the actions of nation-states because of theirextensive resources and global market power.

Growing

n/a

Production

n/a

ta6.org/country/lesotho

Solutions Lesotho

Current Policy in LesothoProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Lesotho

37.85%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the bestpractice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label None

Percent of Pack Covered n/a

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience Yes

Target Audience Research Was Conducted No

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation No

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness No

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

0/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

0/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

n/a

Direct bans Indirect bans

ta6.org/country/lesotho