According to a recent global youth tobacco survey report, more than twenty percent of school children (aged 13 to 15 years) in Benin are cigarette smokers. The survey involved about 50 schools selected in four regions of Benin, namely Atlantique and Littoral (located in the South) as well as Bogue and Alibori (located in North).
The study reveals that in the regions of Atlantique and Littoral where 25 schools were surveyed, 18% of the 2492 pupils had ever smoked cigarettes. About 12% continue to smoke tobacco products and 70% think that secondhand smoke is dangerous to their health.
According to the same study, in the regions of Borgou and Alibori where 25 schools were surveyed, 28% of the 2.672 pupils had ever smoked a cigarette. 25.8% continue to consume tobacco products and about 50 % believe that second hand smoke is dangerous to their health.
According to the report, across the regions, gender seemed not play a role in the smoking habits of the school children surveyed. In Borgou and Alibori more boys smoked than girls (36.2% as compared to 9.9%). Similarly in Atlantique and Littoral, more boys smoked than girls (24.9% as compared to 7.6%)
In order to curb teenage smoking in Benin, the report recommended tough tobacco control measures to be introduced by the administrative and political authorities.
Benin ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on 3 November 2005.
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See also:
Plus de 20 pour cent des adolescents de la tranche d\’âge de 13 à 15 ans fument au Bénin (Published in French by Apa)
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