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.

Mobilization: presentation of GATS-Cameroon results to the civil society

Fifteen (15) associations of the civil society participated during an information workshop on the Global Adult Tobacco Survey results (GATS-2013), tobacco control and the proposed tobacco control bill, on Thursday 20th August 2015 in Yaounde.

In the presence of the representative of the ministry of public health and the press, the Cameroon Coalition to Counter Tobacco (C3T) presented to the Cameroonian civil society the results of « Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2013)». With regards to this survey realized amongst Cameroonian adults:

-          1 100 000 million adults are tobacco users ;

-          19,2% of adults are exposed to tobacco smoke at work ;

-          22,9% of adults who took public transport are exposed to tobacco smoke ;

-          80,4% of adults are in favor of the prohibition of smoking inside confined public places.

According to the participants present during this gathering, the knowledge and conclusions on the results of GATS will lead a better orientation of action against tobacco across the country and to best support advocacy towards the adoption of a strong anti-tobacco law.

Cameroon: Launching a project for the adoption of a strong tobacco control law

The project  " Advocacy towards intensifying the support and acceleration of the adoption of a tobacco control law that reflects to the FCTC in Cameroon ", this was launched on the 04^th of August 2015 in the office of the Cameroon Coalition to Counter Tobacco (C3T) in Yaounde, in the presence of members of the civil society, and representatives of the Ministry of Public Health.

Financed by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids(CTFK), this project is different given the implication of the Ministry of Public Health in the implementation of many actions. During this launching of activities, the project was presented to members of the C3T, while facilitating its understanding and a better cohesion of actions within the realization of the activities.

As we can notice from the name, this project will focus on “Particular emphasis on advocacy for the adoption of a strong tobacco control law in Cameroon. The sensitization on the harmful effects of tobacco will be encouraged to reach the largest public possible ", explained by Dr Flore Ndembiyembe, President of the C3T.

The C3T welcomes you to our new office.

Given our relocation on the 27th of July 2015, the C3T wishes to welcome you to our new office situated at, Etoudi-mosquée, opposite the entrance to pharmacie du Palais. While constantly developing, the C3T welcomes you to this special office. 

This is an ideal place for the plannification of tobacco control activities.Given its proximity to the Unity Palace, this will be without surely a source of inspiration and motivation to the team.

The C3T opens every working days from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. You can contact us at (237) 242.015.572 or by email: c3t.hpw_africa@yahoo.fr. 

Created in 2006, just after the ratification of the World Health Organization(WHO) convention on tobacco control(FCTC), the Cameroon Coalition to Counter Tobacco is a network of associations striving together towards having a Cameroon free from tobacco related deaths.

Cameroon : An eldorado for the tobacco industry

The strategies used by cigarette suppliers to conquer new consumers in Cameroon seems fruitful, from free distribution of their products and even the use of media to stimulate consumption.

The tobacco industry at the moment is initiating an offensive in order to increase its profits and render the Cameroonian population more dependent on tobacco. In effect, we notice almost every week the appearance of a new cigarette brand. This action of the industry is supported by an aggressive marketing at the four angles of the country.

In Yaounde for example, “cigarettes girls” are paid to parade night clubs, snacks and public places. This is to excite youths to smoke cigarettes with really strange names. Recently, the innovation has been free testing. Actually, to implement newly imported brands, the strategies consist of: Proximity trade deposits, shops, stalls and other cartridges cigarettes of brand X. These cigarettes are offered for free to any person who wants to get cigs or smoke. Smoking is free here. The only restriction to this tasting is the deposit of packs at the sales point, who will latter transfer it to the tobacco company for payment".

Observing keenly this new strategy reveals that each cartridge has 3 series of free testing’s before starting the sales of a new product. According to

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.