Tunis: According to estimates, the average age of the first cigarette is around 7 years in Tunisia, where 20% of deaths are due to smoking, revealed Officer in charge of the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health in the WHO country office in Tunisia Dr. Olfa Saidi.

Speaking to the media, she expressed concern that tobacco consumption is increasing among young people and children, who are being seduced by new products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco.

According to a survey conducted by the Health Ministry in 2021, the consumption rate of electronic cigarettes among young people aged between 15 and 17 stood at 17%, compared with 14% for conventional tobacco.

The official also considers it likely that consumption among women and young girls is on the rise, in the absence of gender-based statistics.

She added that 18% of cigarette-related deaths are attributed to passive smoking.

Reducing consumption requires the mobilisation of all efforts, she argued, pointing
out that Law 17/1998 of February 23, 1998 on the prevention of the harmful effects of smoking leaves gaps in its enforcement.

This law does not prohibit sales to minors or sales near educational and university establishments, she said, recalling that the WHO celebrates World No Tobacco Day this year under the theme: “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.”

In 2013, the Health Ministry proposed an initiative to amend the anti-smoking law, aimed notably at protecting young people and children from passive smoking in the home environment, and involving everyone in efforts to combat this scourge.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse