Anti Tobacco Network (ATN)

18/06/2026

Today, we convened the inaugural Multi-Stakeholder Working Group Meeting for the Clean Air Botswana Project.

With 22.2% of adults in Botswana currently using to***co and prevalence rising to 37.2% among men, the meeting focused on aligning research priorities, defining stakeholder roles, and setting timelines to accelerate the implementation of Botswana’s To***co Control Act 2021.

The trend is equally concerning among young people. The 2024 Botswana Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) found that 12.0% of students aged 13–17 currently use a to***co product, while 11.1% currently use electronic ci******es, underscoring the urgent need to regulate emerging ni****ne products before they take deeper root among the country’s youth.

Together, we are laying the foundation for stronger to***co control policies and cleaner, healthier air for all Batswana. 🇧🇼💨🚭
***coFreeBotswana ***coControl

16/06/2026

Building a stronger team for a to***co-free Botswana! 💪🚭

Today, the Botswana Anti To***co Network (ATN) held a full day staff training and orientation session, bringing together all team members for learning, collaboration, and project induction.

New team members also had the opportunity to present their individual roles and share their approaches to delivering impactful projects that advance to***co control and protect public health.

Together, we are strengthening our capacity to advocate for healthier communities and a to***co-free future for Botswana.

***coFreeBotswana ***coControl

07/06/2026

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

🚨 𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆: CHILDREN ARE BEING TARGETED. CHILDREN ARE BECOMING ADDICTED. 🚨

The latest findings are alarming: thousands of children in Botswana are using to***co and ni****ne products, with va**ng becoming increasingly popular among young people.

This is not by accident. To***co and ni****ne companies continue to use attractive flavours, colourful packaging, and digital marketing tactics that appeal to children and adolescents.

At the Anti-To***co Network, we believe every child has the right to grow up free from ni****ne addiction. We call for stronger enforcement of to***co control laws, regulation of emerging ni****ne products, and greater public awareness to protect our children from an industry that profits from addiction.

The health of our children must always come before the profits of the to***co industry.

***coDay ***coFreeGeneration ***coControl

03/06/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡?

These small white pouches are often marketed as a cleaner, safer alternative to smoking, but they can contain highly addictive ni****ne and a range of harmful chemicals that may affect health.

⚠️ 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄
• Highly addictive
• Alters adolescent brain development
• Increases cravings and dependence
• Raises heart rate and blood pressure

⚠️ 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐃𝐄
• Used in embalming fluid
• Irritates the mouth and respiratory system
• Known human carcinogen

⚠️ 𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐇𝐘𝐃𝐄
• Toxic industrial chemical
• Can damage cells and tissues
• Linked to cancer risk

⚠️ 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐄
• Found in fuel and industrial emissions
• Damages bone marrow
• Associated with leukemia

⚠️ 𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎-𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 (𝐓𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐬)
• Cancer-causing compounds found in to***co products
• Linked to cancers of the mouth, throat and pancreas

⚠️ 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐒 (𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦, 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐥)
• Can accumulate in the body
• Harm the brain, kidneys and nervous system

⚠️ 𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐔𝐌 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄
• Increases ni****ne absorption
• Makes ni****ne reach the bloodstream faster
• Can increase addiction potential

⚠️ 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐒
• Mask ni****ne’s harshness
• Increase product appeal, especially among young people

Ni****ne pouches may be smoke-free, but they are NOT risk-free.

They can cause ni****ne addiction, increased anxiety and mood changes, elevated blood pressure, gum irritation, oral health problems, and long-term dependence.

Don’t be fooled by the flavours. Unmask the appeal. Know what’s inside before you put it in your mouth.

***coDay ****neAddiction ****nePouches ***coControl

03/06/2026

🎙️ She’s on the mic and she’s bringing the vibes! 🔥

Catch Matlhogonolo Motshegwa on UB Radio today at 4PM talking all things 🏃🏽‍♀️💨

Because health is the real flex 💪🏽💚

Tune in. Tell a friend. Register before 12 June! 🚨 Put the kwae down and bring fresh lungs 🫁

𝐌𝐈𝐂 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐊 ; 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 3𝐫𝐝 !🤩🎤
We’re hitting the airwaves! 🥳

Today at 4PM, 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙡𝙝𝙤𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙜𝙬𝙖 from Makgabaneng joins 𝙐𝘽 𝙍𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤 to break down why the 𝙂𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙧’𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙣 is more than just a race. It’s a movement for our health.

Set your reminder🚨. Tell a friend✅. Let’s talk mental wellbeing, NCDs, and why your city needs you on that start line.

Otherwise you can still register hassle free online at : https://ticketlinc.co.bw/attendee/208/. Remember our closing date for registration is 12 June ‼️

National AIDS & Health Promotion Agency
Gaborone Mayor’s Marathon
Bona Naledi Organization
Ministry of Health, Botswana

01/06/2026

O seka wa tsiediwa ke makwêtsêpê a a rekisang motsoko! V**e e diphatsa mo botsogong jwa gago.

31/05/2026

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

𝗡𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗴𝘄𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗡𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲:

“𝙐𝙣𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙡 – 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.”

As a referral health facility, Nyangabgwe Hospital continues to see the serious health effects linked to to***co use, including lung disease, heart disease, cancer, pregnancy-related complications and the harmful impact of second-hand smoke on families and communities.

We encourage our community to make healthier choices, protect children and young people from to***co and ni****ne addiction, and support those who are trying to quit.

𝙎𝙖𝙮 𝙉𝙊 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙤. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮.

31/05/2026

Today is ***coDay 🚭

To***co and ni****ne products may look appealing, but the harms are real.

The to***co and ni****ne industry continues to use new tactics to attract young people.

Don't fall for the illusion. Unmask the appeal.
Learn more: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-to***co-day/2026

***coExposed