Cameroon: Time to Protect Children from Tobacco Industry Interference

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – Tobacco smoking is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as chronic respiratory disorders, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease and is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. This year’s theme is: “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference”

According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2023, over one million Cameroonians consumed tobacco daily while at least 8,300 others died yearly from tobacco-related diseases. The over one million adults who smoke tobacco represent 8.9 per cent of the population, 13.9 per cent for males and 4.2 per cent for females. The National Institute of Statistics also revealed that over 10 per cent of the youth population aged 13-15 consume tobacco products.

Current estimates indicate that cigarettes alone are responsible for 8.7 million deaths annually, and 7.7 million of these fatalities are attributable to smoking, whereas 1.3 million are the consequence of secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers.

A report from the World Health Organization WHO revealed that many individuals begin smoking before the age of 18. This is a result of the tobacco industry frequently targeting youth in low-income countries with their marketing campaigns.

Smoking is prohibited in schools, universities and ministerial buildings across the country. There is currently a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion on television, radio and newspapers according to reports. Though tobacco sponsorship is allowed, there are some restrictions on the publicity of such sponsorship.

The law in Cameroon requires rotating pictorial health warnings on 70 per cent of the front and back surfaces of tobacco product packaging. Misleading packaging and labelling, which could include terms like "like" and "low tar" and other signs are prohibited. Three circulars restrict smoking in certain public places and workplaces in educational establishments and government buildings. Law No. 2006/018 governs tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Joint Order No. 0001/2018 governs tobacco product packaging and labeling, replacing the joint Ministries of Public Health and Trade Order No. 967 of June 2007.

Dr Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, calls for vigilance and action. He said: "The tobacco industry's strategies are cunning and pervasive. We must educate our youth about these dangers and fortify our policies to prevent these industries from influencing our health systems. Urgent measures are necessary to control e-cigarettes to protect children as well as non-smokers and minimize health harms to the population.”

“In Thailand, where the sale of e-cigarettes is banned, it is crucial to strengthen the implementation of this ban and continue its monitoring.  The government must protect public policies from the lobbying of tobacco and e-cigarette industries."

This year’s World No Tobacco Day campaign, by exposing the tobacco industry's deceptive practices and the real dangers of e-cigarettes, aims to empower youth to resist the lure of smoking and vaping. WHO urge all stakeholders—readers, parents, educators, and policymakers—to unite in this fight, support anti-smoking campaigns, advocate for strict regulations, and educate communities to protect our youth and secure a smoke-free future.