Gabon: prevention and treatment of smokers remain insufficient

Gabon faces a significant challenge in the management of addictions, particularly tobacco addiction, despite the existence of national legislation and international commitments. Although the country has ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and enacted an anti-smoking law in 2013, insufficient infrastructure and trained personnel limit prevention and care actions, particularly for young people and vulnerable people.[1].

Smoking is a cause for concern

WHO figures for 2023 reveal that the smoking rate in Gabon has reached 2.5 % among women and 2.2 % among men. Although this prevalence remains lower than international averages, consumption is increasing and the country is struggling to prevent this development and provide care for smokers with appropriate treatments. A minority of consumers combine tobacco with other substances such as alcohol or cannabis, which increases the risks. The early age of first consumption, often as early as 12 years old, aggravates the situation and underlines the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat tobacco use with a major component of prevention and rapid care for smokers.

Non-existent or inadequate support

The country suffers from a lack of professionals trained in tobaccology and even generally in addictionology and a lack of suitable infrastructure for treating smokers and more generally people dependent on alcohol or other psychoactive substances.

Gabon does not have enough health professionals trained in the management of tobacco addiction treatment. They do not sufficiently integrate the issue of smoking into their daily practices, such as brief intervention. Access to validated treatments, such as methadone, bupropion or patches, gums and lozenges, also remains difficult, which contributes to the many relapses observed. As a result, the care that exists remains essentially psychiatric and limited to certain specific situations. Professionals are calling for a reform of care to offer appropriate, sustainable and effective support to addicted people.

This call is linked to the commitments made by the country, which has ratified the WHO international treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The latter includes in particular practical guidelines for the care of smokers alongside other prevention policies. This implies an investment in human and financial resources to create specialized structures to support dependent people, facilitating access to cessation aids. The importance of improving accessibility to validated treatments, such as nicotine patches, gums, and medications such as bupropion, is also highlighted. These aids must be offered at an affordable cost and integrated into health services in order to ensure that the most vulnerable populations, including young people, can easily access them.[2].

©Tobacco Free Generation

RK

[1] https://www.gabonreview.com/tribune-addictions-au-gabon-un-defi-de-sante-publique-face-a-une-prise-en-charge-insuffisante/ (accessed 10/28/2024)

[2] https://fctc.who.int/news-and-resources/publications/m/item/guidelines-for-implementation-of-article-14 (accessed 10/30/2024)