Tobacco and Africa: a long history

Tobacco was brought to East Africa by the Portuguese in 1560. By 1600, the Spanish had introduced it across the continent. Since then, there has been considerable variation in smoking rates, anti-smoking measures, cessation programs, and cigarette sales taxes.

Smoking rates vary across the continent

Today, we know that 80% of smokers worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries. According to the WHO, 18% of men and 2% of women in the African region smoke. However, there are significant disparities across this vast continent. The highest smoking rate among men in 2019 was in Lesotho (53% of men), the lowest in Ghana (71% of women). Among women, the highest rate was found in Namibia (91% of women), and the lowest (less than 1% of women) in West African countries. Finally, it should be noted that the smoking rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest of all WHO regions.

Anti-tobacco policies in Africa

Here again, there are significant inequalities between African countries. Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, Senegal, and the Seychelles have implemented the most ambitious plans. In Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo, Madagascar, Namibia, the Seychelles, Uganda, and Senegal, smoking is prohibited by law in public places and workplaces. Regarding smoking cessation support, Senegal was the only country to have implemented programs in 2019.

Warnings, advertisements and taxes

Warnings about the dangers of smoking appear on cigarette packaging in Burkina Faso, Chad, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, and the Seychelles. In Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Chad, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo, cigarette advertising, whether direct or indirect, is prohibited. Tax measures have been introduced in many countries. The highest have been implemented in Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar, where taxes reach 70 to 80 per cent of the retail price of cigarettes.

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[i] "Fact Sheet: Tobacco in Developing Countries" https://www.generationsanstabac.org/article/fiche-dinformations-tabac-dans-les-pays-en-developpement/

[i] "African youth, prey to the tobacco industry" https://www.generationsanstabac.org/actualites/jeunes-africaine-proie-de-lindustrie-du-tabac/

[i] "Legislation in Senegal, strong measures to reduce tobacco consumption" https://www.generationsanstabac.org/actualites/la-legislation-au-senegal-des-mesures-fortes-pour-reduire-la-consommation-de-tabac/

Source Rose-Marie Bouboutou, “Five things to know about tobacco in Africa”, www.bbc.com, May 31, 2019 https://www.bbc.com/afrique/48472738

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