Tobacco Control in Africa - TCA

Olanrewaju Onigbogi about the creation of the African Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI)

This interview was initially published in the blog Rendez-vous.

May I ask you to introduce yourself by telling us a little about your personal background (education, professional experience) and when, how and why you got involved in tobacco control?

Olanrewaju (Lanre) Onigboji: I am Olanrewaju Onigbogi. I have a medical background with postgraduate training in public health. I am currently the Director of the African Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI). I worked as a researcher and public health physician at the University College Hospital before I was appointed as ATCRI Director. The initiative is a multilateral effort to stem the emerging tobacco epidemic on the continent.

Maurice: Les cigarettes importées frappées d’une vignette à partir du 1er décembre

Les boîtes de cigarettes importées porteront désormais une vignette avec le logo de la MRA.
Mieux contrôler l’im­por­tation des cigarettes. C’est l’ob­jectif de la Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), qui compte appliquer un système de contrôle à la douane. Ainsi, toutes les boîtes de cigarettes qui seront importées seront frappées d’une vignette (Excise Stamp) à partir du 1er décembre prochain.
Source: l'Express.MU

Gabon : Toungui chapeaute la loi anti-tabac

Le ministre gabonais des Affaires étrangères, Paul Toungui, vient de soumettre au Sénat un projet de loi autorisant le chef de l’Etat à ratifier la Convention cadre de la lutte anti-tabac de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS), signée par le Gabon en 2003.
Source: BDP-Gabon

Tobacco control and new digital technologies in Africa

From the Google Africa blog.

About the launch of ATCRI

Known as The Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI), the effort will seek to promote the adoption, implementation and enforcement of effective in-country tobacco control policies, legislation and programmes.

ATCRI is being supported by Cancer Research UK and American Cancer Society (ACS) and will be hosted by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN).
Source: This Day

Global Alliance On Tobacco Control Gains Momentum

This article by kemo Cham, journalist from Gambia who was attending COP3.
Via All Africa.com

Lanre Onigbogi: "They may have unlimited resources, but we have unlimited enthusiasm"

From this article published in the Christian Science Monitor about COP3.

African farmers turn backs on tobacco

Most African farmers grow tobacco because they are poor and lack alternative ways to earn a living, but with encouragement, many Tanzanian farmers are giving the killer crop the cold-shoulder.

This is according to Lutgard Kagaruki, from the Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum, who addressed a panel at the World Health Organisation's tobacco control conference in Durban this week.

Source: IOL The Star (Johannesburg)

Report first meeting of the Coalition of African Anti-tobacco Journalists

International Convention Center Durban, 21 November 2008, 11 African journalists present during third Conference of Parties (COP3) held a meeting to put in place and a group of African anti-tobacco journalists.

The main idea behind this meeting was a reflection on the setting up of a framework of African journalists who could enforce the efforts of FCA in their struggle to control tobacco in the world and Africa in particular.

Création d'un Réseau Africain de Journalistes anti-tabac

Le vendredi 21 Novembre 2008, s’est tenue au Centre International des Conférences (ICC) de Durban, la réunion des journalistes invités à la 3^ème session de la conférence des parties pour la lutte antitabac.

A cette rencontre qui a enregistré la participation de onze journalistes de différentes nationalités, il a surtout été question de la mise sur pied d’un réseau de journalistes africains pour renforcer les actions de la FCA dans le cadre de la lutte contre le tabagisme dans nos pays. 

Le vendredi 21 Novembre 2008, s’est tenue au Centre International des Conférences (ICC) de Durban, la réunion des journalistes invités à la 3^ème session de la conférence des parties pour la lutte antitabac.

A cette rencontre qui a enregistré la participation de onze journalistes de différentes nationalités, il a surtout été question de la mise sur pied d’un réseau de journalistes africains pour renforcer les actions de la FCA dans le cadre de la lutte contre le tabagisme dans nos pays. 

Uganda: Tobacco Farmers Deplete Trees

The cutting of trees for tobacco-curing, and charcoal-burning have contributed to the depletion of trees in West Nile, the Arua district forest officer, Edison Adiribo, has said.

He said tobacco, the region's major cash crop, requires large quantities of wood fuel to cure, and has forced farmers to indiscriminately cut down trees.
Source: AllAfrica

About the Great American Smokeout in the US: what about a Great African Smokeout?

On Thursday, November 20, the countless Americans who want to quit smoking in the American Cancer Society's 33rd Great American Smokeout will have an easier time to stay quit with the new Stay Quit Monday initiative. The idea is to reaffirm their Smokeout commitment to living smoke-free on the Monday following their quit date and recommitting each Monday thereafter.
Source: PRNewswire

We ask: why not organizing a Great African Smokeout?

Uganda: stronger warnings on packs

The warning that manufacturers are to imprint on packets within the next six months will read, Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, heart diseases and death” as opposed to the current warning, Cigarette smoking can be harmful to your health. Dr Terry Kahuma, the executive director of UNBS in a letter to the ministers of Health and Trade, said the alert would be carried in English and Kiswahili.
Source: Daily Monitor

Nigeria: The Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI) is launched

The effort will seek to promote the adoption, implementation and enforcement of effective in-country tobacco control policies, legislation and programmes.
ATCRI is being supported by Cancer Research UK and American Cancer Society (ACS) and will be hosted by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN).
Source: This Day on line

Algérie: poursuite de contrebandiers dans le désert

Un article de la Nouvelle République (Reggane)

Tanzania: The Tanzania Cigarette Company (TCC) has donated $92,000 (Sh120 million) to the Tanzania police force.

The money will facilitate training for 5 police officers in San Diego, California.
Is TCC getting anything in exchange?
Source: via AllAfrica.com

Maurice: malgré l'interdiction de vente, les mineurs peuvent aisément acheter de l'alcool et des cigarettes

C'est ce que prouve cette enquête de l'Express.
Source: L'Express

Namibia: Tobacco Control Law to be discussed

CABINET has given the Ministry of Health the green light to table the long-awaited Tobacco Products Control Bill in the National Assembly soon.
Source: The Namibian via AllAfrica.com