Omuthiya: The Oshikoto Regional School Health Task Force is spearheading a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and substance use at Lipundi Secondary School in Omuthiya. The initiative focuses on educating learners about the risks associated with various nicotine and tobacco-based products, including cigarettes, snuff, and pipes.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Paulina Gabriel, the regional school counsellor for the Oshikoto Education Directorate, emphasized the importance of the campaign in helping students understand the potential negative impacts of smoking on both their physical and mental health. She highlighted that learners are increasingly using tobacco products in multiple forms, such as vaping and e-cigarettes, in addition to other illicit substances.

Gabriel further explained that the task force is implementing an integrated school health programme, which includes conducting inspections of schools. These inspections aim to ensure that the health services available to learners are safe and contribute positively to their well-being. The inspections will cover various aspects such as sanitation, mental health, and overall school cleanliness to align with the national safe school framework.

Moreover, Gabriel assured that the ministry is committed to making schools in the region safe from a health perspective. In a speech to the learners, Ndapandula Sackaria, a dentist from Omuthiya District Hospital, cautioned against tobacco use due to its serious health risks. She noted that smoking endangers not only the smoker but also those exposed to passive smoke, which can lead to diseases like lung cancer and heart disease, underscoring why smoking is banned in public areas.

The campaign will also extend its reach to Wapandula Secondary School and Ekulo Secondary School in the Omuthiya Constituency.