RWANDA RANKED 2ND FOR TOBACCO CONTROL

Rwanda has been hailed for
implementing the tobacco
control law in line with the World
Health Organisation (WHO)
framework.
According to the Centre for
Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA),
Rwanda is ranked second after
Kenya in the East African
Community (EAC) in the
implementation of tobacco
control law.
The revelation was made
yesterday during a regional
workshop on policy coordination
for tobacco control in Kigali. It
was organised by WHO in
conjunction with the Ministry of
Health.
Dr Jean de Dieu Ngirabega, the
Deputy Director General in charge
of clinical services in Rwanda
Biomedical Centre, said Rwanda
has integrated tobacco control in
the existing non-communicable
diseases policy and strategic
plan.
He added that several campaigns
targeting the youth in schools,
women and other specific
groups like the army are being
conducted with the aim of
increasing awareness on
tobacco dangers.
"The government of Rwanda has
banned tobacco advertisement,
promotion and sponsorship. This
way, we can be able to save very
many lives prone to tobacco
deaths," Ngirabega said.
Dr Chantal Gegout, officer in
charge, WHO/Rwanda reiterated
the need for total ban on tobacco
advertisement, promotion and
sponsorship, saying it is a
powerful tool to combat tobacco
use.
"Evidence shows that a total ban
on tobacco promotion could
decrease tobacco consumption
by about seven per cent.
Therefore, banning tobacco
promotion is a proven and
effective measure to reduce the
harmful effects of tobacco in
society," Gegout said.
She commended Rwanda for
being among the five African
countries with a comprehensive
ban that covers direct and
indirect tobacco advertising.
She said that worldwide, six
million people each year are
killed by tobacco and of which
more than 600,000 are exposed
to second-hand smoke.
In Africa, current tobacco use is
about 11.5 percent for both
sexes. Among the youth, 18 per
cent use tobacco products and
the use of tobacco products or
cigarettes is at 11.6 percent.
About 48.2 per cent of the youth
are exposed to second-hand
smoking in public places.
The workshop brought together
25 African countries to update
members on the current status
on tobacco control in the African
countries, providing a platform
on joint policy planning among
the key players and development
of specific country-based
practical and implementation
plan for priority activities,
informing countries on the
importance of investing in
tobacco control.