Several Cameroonians under the influence of smoking – Report

Many Cameroonians are under the influence of smoking and they spend an average of 4691 CFA francs per month to buy cigarettes, according to a survey conducted by the National Statistical Institute (INS) with assistance from the Cameroonian Ministry of public health and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This statistics corresponds to 8.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), monthly per capita as indicated by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

According to the survey, the phenomenon of smoking in Cameroon is more accentuated in individuals between the ages of 25-44 where the monthly expense for the purchase of cigarettes exceeds 5000 CFA francs per smoker.

Moreover, the phenomenon is alarming among young people between the 15-24 years age groups. They spend about 4123 CFA francs every month for smoking. This age corresponds to adolescence and early adult phase. Since most of the individuals within this age group are still in school, it can be concluded that they are not working.

Faced with the increase in smoking habits, whose devastating effects on health are severe, the anti-smoking Committee of Cameroon suggested to the Government some years back that there should be an upward revision in taxes for this product, to minimize consumption, especially among young people who are more likely to smoke.