Durban — Pupils at Groutville High in KwaDukuza were warned of the dangers of smoking in light of cancer month that a single cigarette contains over 70 cancer-causing chemicals.
Organised by the Educate Empower Elevate (EEE) Foundation, the education assembly was attended by pupils, teachers, and community members and it aimed at tackling the dangers of smoking, premature and unprotected sex at Groutville High School in KwaDukuza on Monday.
Among the participants was Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chairperson of the National Assembly Health Portfolio Committee, alongside the school’s leadership and healthcare organisations.
Dhlomo highlighted the upcoming Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, and its potential to transform public health by regulating smoking in public spaces and limiting tobacco advertising that targets youth.
“Every learner must have a health plan,” Dhlomo said.
He also emphasised the importance of avoiding smoking, drugs, and early pregnancy in securing a successful future. He warned that aspiring professionals, such as pilots, would not reach their goals if they fell into smoking habits.
"Tobacco is a drug that depresses your central nervous system," he said.
The proposed legislation, if passed, would enforce stricter regulations on tobacco sales, including banning vending machines that allow easy access to cigarettes. Dhlomo stressed that cigarette packaging must also reflect the true health dangers of smoking with more realistic warnings, aiming to deter young people from picking up the habit.
Minenhle Dlamini, representing the Cancer Association of South Africa echoed Dhlomo's concerns. She provided shocking facts, sharing that a single cigarette contains more than 70 cancer-causing chemicals. Her message reinforced the need to remove cigarettes from prominent display in stores, stressing that tobacco offers no benefits to human health.
The school’s principal, Simphiwe Gumede, praised the EEE Foundation for their role in promoting healthy living and thanked them for their donation, which helped renovate the school’s sick bay and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to encouraging students to make better health choices.
“We are a health-promoting school,” Gumede stated.
The assembly ended with a significant pledge signed by Dhlomo, Gumede, and the EEE Foundation, affirming Groutville High School as a no-smoking zone.
This move aligns with efforts to educate the community about the forthcoming Tobacco Control Bill, which is set for public hearings next month in KwaZulu-Natal.
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