More than 27% and 17% of 15-16 year old Congolese boys and girls smoke
Posted by African Press International on May 31, 2008
Publisher; Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa
At least 27.8 percent of Congolese boys and 17.6 percent of girls aged 13 to 15 years are smokers, the Congolese primary education and literacy minister Rosalie Kama Niamayoua said in a national address Saturday to mark World No Tobacco Day.
The international community celebrates World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, and this edition’s theme is “Youth Without Tobacco”.
“The theme comes very timely and aims to raise youths’ awareness of the hazards of tobacco and to encourage policy makers to work towards the strict regulation of tobacco products,” she said.
Niamayoua noted that one of the most effective ways to protect the young people against the dangers of smoking is to ban the advertising or promotion of tobacco, as well as the sponsorship of major events by the tobacco industry.
The minister said tobacco consumption prevalence among Congolese adults is 23.7% for men and 2.4% for women.
The prevalence rate in Africa stands at 29% among males, 7% among women, and between 10% and 30% among the 13-15 year-old school going youngsters.
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API
