Article

Anti-smoking campaign in Africa

9th December 2009

In order to stop tobacco use from becoming still more widespread around the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a campaign against smoking in Africa.

africanfishing Next year, the WHO plans to set up a regional hub there.

Experts at the hub will work with the various governments in Africa and educate them about tobacco advertising and smoking in public places.

WHO non-communicable diseases expert Ala Alwan said that tobacco use was the most preventable cause of illness and death in the world.

He said that it would kill more than 8 million people per year by 2030, if people did not do something.

Although some African countries have issued smoking bans, most have not done so.

Alwan said that more than 80% of the WHO's projected cancer deaths would occur in Africa's poorest countries.

Tobacco use often puts people at risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, cancers, asthma, and other diseases, all of which may account for 46% of all deaths in Africa by 2030, although they currently only account for 25%.

Alwan said that, people must act to stop the spread of tobacco in Africa, where its use is still somewhat less prevalent than in other regions of the world.

He said that smoking cigarettes breeds poverty and consumes family and healthcare budgets.