- Second-hand smoke increases the risk for stroke by 20−30%
Local celebrities such as Berry Heart and media personality Loungo Andre Pitse have joined the bandwagon of activists to endorse the Tobacco Control Bill which was recently discussed in parliament by legislators.
“It is disturbing to see non-smokers suffering from passive smoking and the conditions it comes with. The only best thing that can happen is to have regulations that will permit smokers to only smoke in designated areas by so doing non-smokers would be affected or become victims of passive smoking. One thing that people should understand is that Tobacco Control Bill is meant to regulate the use and sale of tobacco not to phase it out or stop people should stop smoking,” said Berry Heart.
Research shows that second-hand smoke increases the risk for stroke by 20−30% and it causes more than 8,000 deaths from stroke annually. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to experience frequent coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath or other breathing problems.
Speaking as a former smoker the artist mentioned that she vividly recalls how people would get affected through passive smoking every time she lit a cigarette. She urged smokers to be considerate of non-smoking people and their well-being and also urged the government to pass the Tobacco Control Bill as it will be a bold step that will be good for the country’s health.
Berry Heart has been vocal about the Tobacco Control Bill through her various digital platform, she has also been part of a dialogue that comprised medical practitioners and former substance users who are in support of the Tobacco Control Bill. Recently she joined arms in a Tobacco Control Bill campaign that comprise other celebrities such as Loungo Andre Pitse which has been running for the past months.
The Dipalametse singer urged her industry colleagues to join this fight because they carry an influential voice that will also encourage youngsters to abstain from the use and abuse of tobacco.