Banning qat, without political will? [Archives:2002/23/Health]
June 3 2002
BY MUJAHED
AL MUSSAABI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
There are calls to ban qat chewing in Yemen. Last month a national conference brought 500 participants together to discuss the problem . But it remains to be seen if any tangible results will come from the National Conference on Qat, which cost about YR 6,000,000.
The conference produced a lot of recommendations on the different aspects of this issue. University professors, economists and researchers attended, but is there any hope to get rid of qat?
Qat seems to identify our life, culture, and even our destiny. Our generation appears to be on the brink of an abyss as young chewers represent a shockingly huge number of society.
A simple survey will show that even those who are addicted to qat are not comfortable with their life. We met with people on the streets, and in the qat markets to know more about the problem from the public point of view.
Their opinion about qat markets in the main cities, especially in the capital, showed that more than 70 per cent of them are against the idea of allowing qat markets into the main cities.
Mohammed Abdullah commented on the government efforts to fight qat saying, The government is not serious. Seminars, workshops and conferences regarding qat are merely media propaganda and ink on paper, no more. Because after closing any seminar on qat, officials rush directly to the qat markets.
Mr. Saleh Assorory, a worker enthusiastically said that If the government is willing to demolish qat, they can do it. We Yemenis are accustomed to following our leadership sometimes blindly, but there is no political will to do so.
The government should employ all its energy to fight qat. There are no warnings by TV or radio about qat , who are supposed to play an effective role in educating the public. A simple example about how effective TV can be used is the Jenin Campaign to raise Palestine donations, said Mr. Dhaifullah, a pressman.
Mr. Abdulfattah Abdullah, suggested, The government should continue its efforts to forbid qat chewing in public places, prohibit qat to the main cities and explain harmful effects and diseases caused by qat and the chemical insecticides applied. Yemen should do what Saudi Arabia did, and prohibit qat entirely
With the problem as large as it, we need to see co-operation between government and citizens to overcome this challenge.
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