Smoking in Cameroon
In Cameroon, the prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults aged 15 years and older was estimated to be 4.3% in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks a slight decrease from 5% in 2020 and 7.5% in 2019. The gender-specific data for 2022 indicate that tobacco smoking prevalence was significantly higher among males at 8.4%, compared to 0.3% among females. The number of tobacco smokers was reported to be 674,796 in 2022, down from 738,546 in 2020 and 1,084,963 in 2019. The adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence in 2017 was 4.6%, with 9.1% among males and 0.5% among females. Smoking-related mortality data from 2021 show that smoking accounted for 1.74% of all deaths in Cameroon, corresponding to 4,532 deaths. Gender-specific data for 2021 show that deaths due to smoking accounted for 2.5% of all deaths among males and 0.75% among females. These statistics represent the public health burden posed by tobacco smoking in Cameroon, particularly among male populations, despite the observed decline in prevalence rates in recent years.
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May 13, 2025 by cameroonnewsagency.com
Cameroon’s opportunity to advance public health through Tobacco harm reduction – Cameroon News Agency
Cameroon faces a public health crisis with 8.9% smoking prevalence leading to significant deaths and healthcare costs. Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, offers a safer alternative. However, lack of awareness and regulation hinders progress. Local research and educational campaigns are needed to promote THR and develop effective policies. Integrating THR into national tobacco control is crucial for long-term health outcomes. With the new Tobacco Control Law in place, Cameroon has the opportunity to lead in tobacco control through evidence-based, innovative strategies. Action is imperative to reduce smoking-related harm and improve public health.