Shipping Restrictions: Navigating The Complexities Of Sending Chewing Tobacco To Afghanistan

Sending tobacco products to Afghanistan is a complex issue that involves legal, cultural, and logistical considerations. In terms of legality, there are restrictions on sending tobacco products to certain destinations, including Afghanistan, due to concerns about underage sales and smuggling. Additionally, the type of shipping service and packaging requirements play a crucial role in whether one can send tobacco products to the country. Culturally, Afghanistan has a significant tobacco consumption rate, particularly among males, with cigarettes and naswar (moist snuff) being the most common forms of tobacco used. However, there have been efforts to reduce tobacco use in the country, and the World Health Organization reports a decrease in smoking rates between 2010 and 2020. When it comes to logistics, sending tobacco through the mail requires proper packing and labelling, and one must also consider the weight restrictions and taxes imposed by the destination country. Overall, while it may be possible to send chewing tobacco to Afghanistan, one must carefully navigate the legal, cultural, and logistical complexities involved.

Chewing tobacco is a smokeless tobacco product

Chewing tobacco is addictive and contains harmful chemicals. It contains nicotine, which is highly addictive, and has been linked to serious health problems including nicotine poisoning, cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

In the United States, the two main types of smokeless tobacco are chewing tobacco and snuff. Chewing tobacco is typically cured tobacco in loose leaf, plug, or twist form, while snuff is finely ground tobacco that can be dry or moist. Moist snuff, also called dip tobacco, is placed between the gums and cheek and can come in pouches that resemble small teabags.

Due to the health risks associated with smokeless tobacco products, there are restrictions on shipping these products to certain destinations. For example, it is illegal to send tobacco products to deployed troops in Afghanistan due to a law meant to hamper smuggling and underage sales through the mail. However, there may be alternative options for military families sending packages containing tobacco to their loved ones in Afghanistan, such as using Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation Service if certain requirements are met.

Smokeless tobacco is consumed in Afghanistan

Naswar is a popular dipping smokeless tobacco product in Afghanistan, similar to Swedish snus. It is produced by local manufacturers, including those who are illiterate, who often do not follow proper health and safety guidelines. Naswar is consumed by placing it in the mouth cavity, and it has a high prevalence among adult males.

According to the World Health Organization, about 35.2% of males and 2.1% of females consume tobacco in Afghanistan. An unpublished study in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, also showed a high prevalence of cigarette smoking among males and females aged 18 years and older, with naswar being another common form of tobacco used by adult males.

The average age for initiation of smoking in Afghanistan is 13 years, and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey held in schools of five provinces of Afghanistan showed high exposure to second-hand smoke. Afghanistan has implemented various tobacco cessation policies and strategies, and the smoking rates have decreased by around 20% between 2010 and 2020. However, tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable deaths in the country.

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 made it illegal to send tobacco products to deployed troops

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (PACT Act) made it illegal to send tobacco products to deployed troops. The law was enacted to prevent minors from ordering cigarettes through the mail and to prevent trafficking by requiring tracking and confirmation of the recipient's age. While the law allows small shipments of tobacco products, these can only be sent via Express Mail as this is the only postal service that meets the identification requirements.

The issue with sending tobacco products to deployed troops in Afghanistan or Iraq is that Express Mail is not available to some overseas military destinations, primarily Iraq or Afghanistan. This means that family and friends are blocked from shipping cigarettes and other tobacco products to troops in these countries.

The law was not intended to restrict the mailing of tobacco to soldiers. However, as things stand, the only way for troops in Afghanistan to receive tobacco products from family members is if they are sent via UPS or FedEx, as consumer-to-consumer shipping of tobacco is not allowed by these couriers.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, is working on a legislative fix to ensure that service members overseas can receive care packages containing tobacco products. In the meantime, anyone wanting to send tobacco products to a deployed soldier should check the relevant customs website for information on whether tobacco is prohibited or restricted, what the weight limit is, and whether a license is required.

Naswar is a popular form of smokeless tobacco in Afghanistan

Naswar is produced in several regions of Afghanistan, including Swabi, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Herat. It is also produced in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and India. In Afghanistan, naswar is easily accessible and affordable, and is often sold alongside cigarettes and sunflower seeds in local markets.

Naswar is consumed by placing a small amount in the mouth, where it produces a slight burning sensation on the inner lip and tongue. It can be purchased in two forms: powder and a paste cake style mixed with lime. The powder form is the most common variety, made by pouring water into a cement-lined cavity and adding slaked lime, air-cured, sun-dried, powdered tobacco, and indigo for colouring.

Naswar is a popular alternative to smoking tobacco, particularly among adult males in Afghanistan. However, it poses serious health risks and is not recommended for heavy usage due to its known medical side effects.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a serious problem with tobacco use, which is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the country. Over three million Afghans smoke daily, and tobacco use is a major risk factor in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which cause more than 35% of mortality in the country. Tobacco use is also a significant cause of cancer, with around 3% of households in Afghanistan having a family member diagnosed with the disease.

The average age for initiation of smoking in Afghanistan is 13 years old, and overall, 35.2% of males and 2.1% of females consume tobacco. These figures are higher than those observed in other politically unstable low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Tobacco use is more prevalent among men than women, with 21.9% of men and 3.4% of women smoking cigarettes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, has been critical in countering the tobacco industry's aggressive tactics in LMICs. Afghanistan adopted the treaty in 2010, and it has helped to enforce smoke-free public places and ban tobacco advertising. However, more needs to be done to reduce tobacco use in Afghanistan, as current smoking rates are still high, and the country is not fully compliant with all aspects of the treaty.

To effectively reduce tobacco use and prevent preventable deaths, Afghanistan should continue to implement and strengthen tobacco control measures. This includes increasing taxes on tobacco products, enforcing comprehensive smoke-free laws, and providing more resources and support for individuals who want to quit tobacco. Educational campaigns, particularly those targeting young people and women, could also help raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use and prevent initiation. Additionally, addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to tobacco use, such as stress and poverty, may be necessary to reduce tobacco-related deaths in Afghanistan.

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