Smoking prevalence high in Cameroon

Recent study has revealed that over one million Cameroonians aged 15 years and above are active smokers.

This analysis was made public recently in Yaounde as the outcome of a survey carried out in 2013 by the National Institute of Statistics under the framework of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

Other alarming statistics indicate that 15 per cent of the active smokers started smoking before the age of 15.

The Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda mentioned that the study will help the Ministry reorganise its strategy in the fight against tobacco.

A WHO resident – representative, Dr Charlotte Faty Ndiaye explained that since tobacco is a silent killer, there is a need to work with children in order to prevent tobacco consumption at their level.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) was carried out by National Institute of Statistics with coordination from the Ministry of Public Health.

The Ministry was technically assisted in the endeavour by the WHO.