Health Correspondent
The World Health Organisation yesterday celebrated 10 years of implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the African region.

Tobacco kills an estimated 6 million people every year but due to the lag of several years between when people start using tobacco and when their health suffers, the epidemic of tobacco-related diseases and death is just beginning.

To date, 43 of the 47 member states in the WHO African Region have ratified the WHO FCTC and are implementing national tobacco policies, laws and regulations.

However, much remains to be done and urgent actions are required to prevent the effects of this scourge of modern times. Besides premature death, the use of tobacco robs families of incomes, raises health care costs, and hinders economic developments.

“WHO is committed to fighting this global tobacco epidemic and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control reaffirms people’s right to the highest standard of health. All stakeholders must counter the dangerous health, social, environmental and economic effects of tobacco,” says Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.

Tobacco is one of the most common risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, type 2 diabetes and many types of cancers. According to the Kenya Ministry of Health, NCDs contribute to nearly 50 percent of all admissions in public hospitals countrywide.

The 2014 Global Adult Tobacco Survey indicates that 19,1 percent of men and 4,5 percent of women currently use tobacco in Kenya.

Overall, 41,3 percent of current smokers started using tobacco between 20-24 years of age, while 32,3 percent initiated between 17-19 years, 13,5 percent between 15-16 years, and 7,5 percent when they were less than 15 years of age.

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the trends show that the campaign is working since the prevalence has gone down from 24 percent in 2007 to 10 percent in 2013.

“Progress has been made but renewed efforts are needed to counter tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in the African region.

“A comprehensive ban could decrease tobacco consumption about 7 percent on average and up to 16 percent in some countries,” explains Dr Ogwell Ouma, Tobacco Control Regional Adviser at the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Tobacco control advertisements and graphic pack warnings work — especially those that include pictures — to reduce the number of children who begin smoking and increase the number of smokers who quit.

“Hard-hitting tobacco control mass media campaigns increase awareness of the harm caused by tobacco, reduce tobacco use, increase quit attempts and reduce second-hand smoke exposure,” explains Dr Custodia Mandlhate, WHO country representative for Kenya.

“Tobacco control counter-advertising campaigns will inform about protecting families, especially children, from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

“They will explain the economic impact on families from personal spending on tobacco and the early death of a parent. Such messages will also highlight tobacco cessation successes, while at the same time seek to prevent smoking experimentation and initiation among young people,” Dr Mandlhate adds.

The damaging effects of tobacco breach fundamental rights and freedoms that include: the right to life, the right to a healthy environment, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa will continue supporting member states in the region to fully implement the FCTC and its adopted guidelines through national policies, laws and regulations to protect these rights.

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