“We have been advocating for a number of years on getting a national law to control Tobacco, since 2006 when Cameroon ratified the WHO convention on Tobacco. We submitted a draft bill at the Prime Minister’s office which was later sent to the presidency,” reports the National Coalition for Tobacco Control (C3T).
Cameroon, despite being a signatory to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control since 2006, is yet to adopt a national law specifically targeting tobacco control.
This gap in legislation is becoming increasingly problematic as tobacco use continues to rise in the country, posing significant health risks to the population.
According to C3T data collected in 2022 globally indicates that at least 37 million young people aged 13 to 15 consume some form of tobacco.
The 2023 Tobacco Industry Interference Index showed Cameroon recorded strong interference from the tobacco industry in the development and implementation of tobacco control policies with a score of 81/100 and a rank of 18th in Africa.
Meanwhile a survey by the Tobacco Industry Accountability (TIA) in 2016 identified 173 sale points for tobacco products and 44 advertisements within a radius of 100 meters around 20 educational establishments in the city of Yaounde.
The absence of a national law on tobacco control leaves Cameroon without a comprehensive framework to regulate the sale, advertising, and use of tobacco products.
« In Cameroon 8.9% representing more than a million adults are active smokers with close to seven million people being passive smokers. Worst of all about 300 thousand youths aged 13 to 15 years, are smokers.» says Mformi Sonde Kinsai, member of C3T.
These worrisome statistics presented by the National Coalition for Tobacco Control is a clear indication that something must be done to protect the ones described as the future of Cameroon.
No wonder the 2024 World No Tobacco Day focuses on « Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference. »
What Changes If National Tobacco Law is Adopted ?
The proposed national law on tobacco control aims to address various aspects of tobacco use, including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
It also seeks to protect public health by regulating smoking in public places and increasing taxes on tobacco products.
If adopted, the law would significantly impact tobacco consumption and contribute to reducing the prevalence of smoking in Cameroon.
« With the adoption of such a law, Cameroon will be able to fight against the interference of tobacco industries that are permanently maneuvering to push their products on. Equally, advertising, promotional and sponsorship activities pushing for consumption of tobacco products will be checked. « Mformi Sonde explains.
The coalition is also spearheading a movement for the implementation of the third series of graphic health warnings, that has been delayed for almost a year.
It is expected to be renewed every three years and the last update was to be done on June 12, 2023.
«These are messages that need to appear on tobacco packages so that anyone involved in using the product, should know the risk factors. It is important to change them periodically to avoid familiarity and increase impact.» Mformi expatiates.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2024, the C3T is reiterating the call for competent authorities to finalize the ratification process of the « Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products. »
Also on the call for action is the implementation of the 2006 law governing advertising in Cameroon as well as regulations aimed at protecting the school environment from the activities of the tobacco industry.
The National Coalition for Tobacco Control’s vision is « to see Cameroon free from tobacco-related diseases or deaths. »
