Windhoek — NAMIBIA is not among a handful of African countries who ratified a global anti-smoking treaty in Geneva, Switzerland, last week - despite being a signatory to the agreement.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first global health treaty to be produced for several decades.

So far about 40 countries have ratified the treaty - enough to make it law in those countries.

South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique are the only southern African states which have become party to the pact.

The treaty covers issues such as advertising and sponsorship, tax and price increases, labelling, illicit trade and secondhand smoke.

Health Ministry officials could not be reached for comment on when Namibia will join the pact, but indications are that the country first needs to enact its own anti-tobacco legislation.

However, this is proving to be an arduous process.

The draft bill has been waiting for approval from the Justice Ministry for more than two years now.

Even if this happens soon, the bill will have to be passed back to the drafting committee because matters related to illicit trade and trafficking are not covered in the current document.

In its present form, the bill seeks to prohibit or control smoking in public places as well as regulate the sale and advertising of tobacco and tobacco products in certain respects.

The bill gives the Health Minister the prerogative to decide on which kinds of public places smoking will be banned.

In addition, no one under the age of 18 will be permitted to buy tobacco or any related products.

Tobacco manufacturers, importers or suppliers will be hardest hit by the new legislation.

They will be banned from promoting their products at any social event and can be held liable for treatment costs for those affected by tobacco products.

Should companies not be prepared to pay these costs, it is suggested that cigarettes be taxed at the maximum rate and the money be used for health matters.

Tobacco companies will also be forced to set aside money to take care of workers affected as a result of tobacco.

Five million tobacco-related deaths are recorded around the world every year.

During her five-year term as World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, made global tobacco control a high priority.

Several drafts of the FCTC were worked through before a consensus document was adopted at the World Health Assembly last month.

From the end of this month, the convention will be available for signature at the UN headquarters in New York until June 29 2004.