Hookahs are gaining ground in the Ivorian capital

On June 17, 2019, the Ivorian Parliament passed its first ever anti-tobacco law, aligning itself with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), signed in 2002 and ratified in 2005. This law complemented the decree banning tobacco consumption in places open to the public and on public transport to organize “the cultivation, production, marketing and advertising of tobacco and tobacco products.”[1]These new provisions tightened Ivorian anti-tobacco measures in a context of concern over the growing popularity of new tobacco products, such as shisha pipes and electronic cigarettes.

Shisha, a very lucrative and booming business in Ivory Coast

Hookah has become a staple of evenings in the Ivorian capital. Ivorians in their twenties and thirties indulge in hookah smoking in groups in bars and restaurants, often from 6 p.m. to midnight.[2].

In Ivory Coast, the smoking prevalence is estimated at 14.51 TYP3T. More worryingly, among 13-15 year olds, 191 TYP3T are already smokers.[3]This situation is said to be the cause of more than 5,000 annual deaths attributable to tobacco.

This is already an alarming situation in itself, and it risks being exacerbated by the popularity of hookah and consumers' lack of awareness of its dangers. As a reminder, a hookah session is the equivalent of 20 to 30 cigarettes, in terms of consumption: a detail that manufacturers are careful not to highlight. The flavors are the main attraction, which is also reminiscent of e-cigarette liquids.

The Ivorian government commits to the fight against tobacco

Authorities are ensuring proper enforcement of the anti-smoking law to limit the entry of young people into tobacco and deflect attempts at interference by tobacco manufacturers. Thus, unannounced inspections are carried out, and offending establishments face financial penalties ranging from 50,000 to 250,000 CFA francs, or even closure. Smokers, for their part, face fines ranging from 15,000 to 100,000 CFA francs.

More recently, on the occasion of the 33rd No Tobacco Day, the Ivorian Minister of Health, Mr. Aka Aouélé, publicly displayed “his commitment to freeing young Ivorians from the clutches of the tobacco industry.”[4]. by recalling the need to expose the tactics of the tobacco industry which uses new products and attractive packaging to attract young people into its deadly nets.