The executive secretary, African Capacity Building Foundation, Mr.Mamadou Biteye, has alluded that Africa is the verge of losing a chunk of the youth through intake of tobacco.
According to him,more of the youth is now addictive to tobacco, and there is a need for a novel approach to effectively reduce tobacco health related diseases.
Speaking at the 2nd Africa Conference on Tobacco Control and development ,Mr Mamadou Biteye opined that Africa is the most youthful continent on the planet, and therefore, it bestowed on leadership to protect them from tobacco and its implications.
He opined that the conference has come at the most opportune time when African governments need more than ever to fulfil their international obligations to protect their populations.
Further, Mr Mamadou Biteye added that to have a sustainable development
,you need a healthy workforce, and Africa will have the largest workforce by 2050,so it is important for a conscious approach to curb tobacco use.
Technical advisor to the minister of health, Dr. Darius Oei pointed out that tobacco use is a major public health threat worldwide,with more than 8.7 million people dying each year from tobacco related diseases.
According to him,the harmful effect of tobacco goes beyond health, affecting economies, environment as well as development.
Dr. Osei is of the view that to protect the youth and the future generations yet unborn, there is the need for concerted effort in the fight against smoking in Africa.
He called all Africans to mobilize resources to break down the barriers to the implementation of tobacco control policies negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organisation.
Story by kesse Solomon
