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 heterogeneity in smoking rates, anti-smoking measures, cessation programmes and taxes on cigarette sales.

Smoking rates vary across the continent

Today, we know that 80 % of smokers in the world live in low- and middle-income countries. According to the WHO, 18 % of men and 2 % of women in the African region smoke. But there are strong disparities across this vast continent. The highest smoking rate among men in 2019 was in Lesotho (53 %), the lowest in Ghana (7%). Among women, the highest rate is found in Namibia (9%), the lowest (less than 1 %) 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 in public places and workplaces is prohibited by law. Regarding support for smoking cessation, Senegal was the only country to have implemented programs in 2019.

Warnings, advertisements and taxes

Warnings about the dangers of smoking appear on packets in Burkina Faso, Chad, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal and 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 in Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar, where taxes reach 70 to 80 % 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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