The Acting Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Moliehi Khabele, says her ministry is in a process of formulating regulations that will control sale of tobacco use in
the country.

She said this when during the World No Tobacco Day celebrations held at Levi's Nek in Leribe on Friday. This year's theme is "Smoke free environment", thus encourages people to stay and live as non smokers.

Ms Khabele, said control of sale of tobacco will save lives as it has been realized that there are about 1000 poisons in a cigarette such as tarred and nicotine.

She said the government spends thousands of Maloti when paying for patients who are suffering from smoke related diseases as most of them are usually transferred to South Africa for further treatment.

Speaking at the same occasion, the World Health Organization representative, Mr. Peter
Phori, said it is the responsibility of all Basotho, including the government, private sector and non governmental organizations in discouraging smoking in all its forms.

The Leribe Principal Chief, Chief Joele Bolokoe Mots'oene, said smokers should not only stop smoking during activities like this, but should volunteer to do so on their own to be free from illnesses related to smoking.

He urged parents to make their children aware of the dangers of smoking, and to avoid smoking in the presence of children and other family members.

Present at the occasion were members of Parliament, senior government officials, community and school children who graced the event with songs bearing messages of the day.

Source: LENA