Tobacco Control in Africa - TCA

Philip Morris in talks to buy Majority stake in Kenyan Tobacco company

Kenya’s Mastermind Tobacco is expected to sell its majority stake to Philip Morris International Inc, at undisclosed amount if their current talks conclude successfully. Mastermind manufacture brands that target the poorer smokers in the region with brands such as Supermatch, Superman, Rocket and Rally.

Drastic Price Decrease Threatens to Increase Youth Smoking Rates in Senegal

Find below the press release published by CTFK in support of the protest by the Senegalese League Against Tobacco.

Senegal: Philip Morris lower the prices of its cigarettes and the President Wade requests "proofs" that tobacco is harmful in Senegal

Mamadou of ATCA provided this information (read below). Most of the sources available on line are in French. Philip Morris lowered its prices to counter the competition from low cost brands. The government has remained silent (for now) while the President Wade was reported as requesting proof that tobacco was a public health hazard in Senegal before approving any tobacco control measure. The Senegalese advocates ask the international community to protest.

Here is a link to file a message for the Senegalese Government. Do not forget to confirm you message to make sure it is sent. If you want a sample in French I have copied the protest I sent at the bottom of this post (and here on another post).

Here is a link to file a protest with the Senegalese Health Department. Strangely their news feed for today reports about the protest from the Senegalese League Against Tobacco (LISTAB). I would suggest you send a copy of your protest to Mamadou Bamba Sagna: sagna at atca-africa.org

Child labor in Malawi's tobacco farms mentioned during Philip Morris annual shareholders assembly

A proposal sponsored by Father Michael Crosby of the Capuchin Order asked for Philip Morris not to purchase from farms where there is child labor. It did not pass but it is a reminder of the importance of continuing to push for the eradication of child labor, mostly driven by the low pay of tobacco workers.

Read the full text of the proposal below.

Inauguration de l'usine Philip Morris à Prikine: indignation et protestation du MAT

Djibril Wélé nous communique ses réactions face à la présence du Premier Ministre sénégalais lors de l'inauguration de l'usine de Prikine (banlieue de Dakar) et partage les liens de deux articles dans la presse locale sur le sujet: ferloo et la gazette.