Cameroon: tobacco growing subsidy, towards the enforcement of the FCTC provisions

After the arrest of a Senator, the Prime Minister commits himself to implement the provisions of the FCTC on tobacco growing.

Overview of the Cameroonian parliament

During the Plenary Session on questions to the government on December 11, Senator NGALLI NGOA Pierre Henri asked him to explain the funding of tobacco growing in Cameroon (500 million CFA francs in 2013), while the Cameroon has ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Indeed, the State is officially engaged in tobacco control, but allocates at the same time significant subsidies to tobacco farmers. This has often led civil society to express its indignation in various forms, among which whistleblowing with parliamentarians and members of government.

After a lively debate about the tobacco growing subsidy in Cameroon, the Prime Minister, and Head of Government stated that the provisions of the FCTC
will be considered for inclusion. It is worth noting with pride that it is the first time the subject of tobacco is thus publicly discussed at such a high level.

The response of the Government of Cameroon resonates for civil society as a key step in the establishment of an appropriate legal framework for tobacco control in Cameroon.