C3T:Visit into the heart of the first smoke-free council in Cameroon

Monday 17th August 2015, The Cameroon Coalition to Counter Tobacco(C3T) visited the Bamenda 1 Council. Objective, being to meet the local authorities and observe the implementation of this decision that rendered this council smoke-free.

Caroline Bi Bongwa, Mayor of the Bamenda 1 Council,
first smoke-free council in Cameroon

This visit was an opportunity for Elvis Ndikum the Campaign Officer with the C3T, to follow-up the effective implementation of the decision rendering this locality a smoke-free zone. This done by the pasting of stickers with signs that prohibit smoking.

During this visit, Caroline Bi Bongwa, Mayor of the Bamenda 1 Council thanked the C3T and its partners towards their actions in the implementation of this decision within the council. She did mention of the fact that some of the communication materials produced by the C3T were transferred to the authorities of the North West region. The mayor took the engagement to support actions towards tobacco control, while ensuring the good health of populations. She encourages other councils to emulate the example of Bamenda I. This will go ahead to protect the health of populations against the exposition to tobacco smoke.

Contrôle du tabac: le réseau des parlementaires camerounais contre le tabac peaufine sa stratégie

Dans le cadre de ses actions de lutte contre le tabac, le réseau des parlementaires camerounais contre le tabac a organisé le 09 Juillet 2015 une réunion ordinaire de suivi de ses activités

Présidée par l'Hon. LAOUSSOU Pierre, Secrétaire général du Réseau des parlementaires camerounais contre le tabac (oxygène), cette séance de travail, a été l'occasion pour les députés du réseau Oxygène d'échanger sur leurs actions pour la mise en place d'un meilleur cadre juridique relatif au contrôle du tabac au Cameroun. 

Ainsi, il ressort de cette rencontre que l'action des membres du Réseau portera sur le plaidoyer de haut niveau en vue de l'adoption d'une loi anti tabac. Mais aussi sur la sensibilisation des autres parlementaires et des populations sur les méfaits du tabac. 

World No Tobacco Day: tobacco control without a law is illicit to population’s health

“Stop the illicit trade of tobacco products”, this is the theme that the 28^th edition of the World No Tobacco Day is celebrated. In effect, the Cameroon Coalition to Counter Tobacco organized on the 28^th May, 2015 in Yaounde, a day dedicated to the fight against tobacco. During this celebration, the discussions focused on the consequences of illicit trade on health, economic and social domains. This in view of an advocacy towards a better tobacco control.

Debate panel

In Cameroon, government measures are existing to overcome this problem as recalled by the representative of the Minister of Public health. But for C3T, these measures are becoming insufficient. In effect, opposition, but equally, in all adoption of an anti-tobacco law, because this will contribute to the efficient fight against this calamity, this is the point of view of all the panelists of the round table debate organized by the C3T on the impact of the illicit trade of tobacco in Cameroon. This debate was Chaired by Aimé Robert Bihina.  The panel was constituted of Mr Pascal Awono (representative of the Minister of Public health), Mrs Koa Alima Beyala Jacqueline (representative of the Minister of Trade), Dr Léonard Mbam Mbam (the representative  of the WHO’s  local office representative  in Yaounde), Hon. Vincent de Paul Emah Etoundi (vice president of the parliamentary network against Tobacco(Oxygen), Dr KAMGA OLEN Jean-Pierre ( Medicalpractitioner ) and Dr Flore NDEMBIYEMBE( president of C3T).

Elvis Ndikum: For their health, for their kids, for their families and for our environment, the young people should quit smoking

You are one of Cameroonian who took part in the Youth Conference The 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health. How do you feel after this experience?

The 16^th World Conference on Tobacco or Health from 17-21 March 2015 in Abu Dhabi had 74 delegates for the Pre-Youth Conference coming from 40 countries. I am honored to have been selected amongst the two Cameroonians that represented Cameroon for the youth Conference. I feel motivated but accountable and more enlightened on what we as youths in Cameroon need to do so far as tobacco control is concerned.Tobacco control amongst youths in Cameroon is not visible or active. I have a feeling of responsibility while still in Abu Dhabi that I will be implementing and sharing my experiences gained to Cameroonian youths and use all strategies as much as possibleto eradicate tobacco amongst youths and the Cameroonian population.

Tabac: la fumée de cigarette reste nocive pendant 18 heures

Même lorsqu'une cigarette est éteinte, ses émanations continuent d'être nocives pendant des heures.

Fumer quand la maison est vide et que les enfants sont à l'école n'est pas une solution. Les résidus de fumée de cigarette restent une source d'exposition aux polluants nocifs pendant de longues heures.

Non seulement il sent mauvais, mais le tabac froid est également dangereux. Après qu'une cigarette a été fumée, des particules de tabac restent présentes dans les tissus d’intérieur, tapis, rideaux, sur les murs, les meubles... Elles peuvent s'avérer nocives pendant 18 heures selon une étude publiée récemment.

« C’est assez simple », résume le Pr. Yves Martinet, chef du service de pneumologie au CHU de Nancy, et président du Comité national contre le tabagisme, « la fumée se répartit dans l’air: nicotine, goudrons, particules fines… Certains produits toxiques se fixent sur les tissus et sont libérés régulièrement dans l’air dans les heures qui suivent ».

Des substances dans l'air pendant au moins 18 heures

Une étude franco-américaine, parue dans la revue Environmental Science & Technology, estime que ces émanations dangereuses se prolongent jusqu'à 18 heures. Les chercheurs des universités de Berkeley et Clermont-Ferrand ont analysé les niveaux de 58 composés organiques volatils (COV) et des particules ultra-fines dans deux environnements.

Alarm over Cameroon child smokers

YUH TIMCHIA

Forty-four per cent of pupils in Cameroonian schools have already had their first contact with tobacco and the gory statistic could get worse, an anti-tobacco organization has warned.

The Cameroon Coalition against Tobacco further states that 15 per cent of the people below the age of 15 were among 17.5 per cent of the country’s smoking population.

The organization is pushing for anti-tobacco laws to be urgently implemented in the country.

Cameroon became a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in May 2006.

Parties to the treaty, which obliges signatories to cut back on tobacco consumption and exposure to secondary smoke, adopted the

Anti-Tobacco Organisation Pushing for Adoption of Anti-Smoking Law in Cameroon

© Valentine MULANGO | Cameroon-Info.Net

The Cameroon Coalition against Tobacco has launched a petition for the adoption of an anti-smoking law in Cameroon.

The Cameroon Coalition against Tobacco has launched a petition for the adoption of an anti-smoking law in Cameroon. Smoking is the leading cause of illness and death in the world (6 million people). These deaths are all preventable.

In Cameroon the prevalence of smoking has stagnated around 17.5% of the population. And 37% of Cameroon's population are exposed to smoke in public places and is therefore exposed to health risk like smokers.

For every smoker who quits or dies, a young person starts smoking. Moreover, a study by WHO reveals that 15% of children less than 15 years are smokers. 44% of young students have already had their first cigarette stick and 6.4% received free cigarettes from officials of tobacco companies.