Ministère de la Santé Publique : comment améliorer le contrôle du tabac

Réunis autour du ministre de la Santé publique lors d'une concertation multi-sectorielle, administrations publiques et société civile étudient le problème du tabagisme au Cameroun. Objectif de la rencontre du 9 septembre 2015, l'amélioration du contrôle du tabac au Cameroun.

Une séance de travail multi-sectorielle sur le contrôle tabagisme

Présidée par le ministre de la Santé publique, cette rencontre a vu la participation d’une trentaine de représentants des administrations et organisations concernées par la mise en œuvre des mesures antitabac au Cameroun.

Dans son propos liminaire, le ministre de la Santé publique a fait savoir que cette rencontre  permettra de travailler sur les mesures antitabac à entreprendre en rapport avec les résultats et les conclusions de l’Enquête Globale sur le Tabagisme chez les Adultes (GATS - 2013). Fort de ses résultats alarmant, le ministre de la Santé a indiqué que pour réduire les ravages causés par le tabagisme dans notre pays, une loi nationale antitabac forte et conforme à la CCLAT a été introduite auprès du gouvernement. Mais en attendant son aboutissement, des dispositions pour réduire l'exposition à la fumée du tabac doivent être prises par toutes les administrations.

Ministry of Public Health: How to ameliorate tobacco control

United around the minister of public health and the civil society during a multisectoral encounter, public administration and civil society study the problem of tobacco use in Cameroon. Objective of the meeting of September 09^th 2015, the amelioration of tobacco control in Cameroon.

Presided by the minister of public health, this encounter saw the participation of about 30 representatives of administrations and organizations concerned by the putting in place of anti-tobacco measures in Cameroon.

With regards to his luminary proposals, the minister of public health made known that this encounter will facilitate working on tobacco control measures to be taken in relation to the results and the conclusions of the Global Adult Tobacco (GATS-2013) survey. Strong and alarming results, the minister of public health notified that to reduce the ravage caused by tobacco use in our country, a strong tobacco control law in accordance with the FCTC was forwarded to the government. But while waiting for its outcome, measures to reduce exposition to tobacco use needs to be implemented by all administrations.

High smoking rate in Cameroon

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

By Eleanor Ayuketah / Crtv

This analysis was made public recently in Yaounde as 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.