THE World Health Organisation has urged tougher anti-tobacco policies in Africa, but the OAU is worried the drive could undermine political and economic stability if farmers are not given alternatives. Parliamentarians and health experts from 21 African English-speaking countries are meeting in Nairobi as the WHO whips up support for its tobacco control campaign. The organisation is calling for higher taxes, bans on tobacco advertising, restrictions on smoking in work and public places and active enforcement of the policies. WHO says worldwide, tobacco will soon kill more people than the combined toll from HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and automobile crashes and suicides. – Reuters