Burkina Faso health officials mobilize against rising tobacco and drug use

The Association Afrique contre le tabac (ACONTA) has launched a mobilization effort in Ouagadougou to combat rising tobacco and drug consumption among youth in Burkina Faso. During a recent workshop organized under the PRECI-ACONTA project, stakeholders including journalists were engaged to foster a coordinated national response to these public health challenges.

Data from Tobacco Atlas indicates that tobacco use is responsible for approximately 3,286 deaths annually in Burkina Faso, accounting for 2.9% of all deaths. The country has an estimated 1.24 million adult smokers, while smoking prevalence among children aged 10 to 14 is 3.71%. Economic losses related to tobacco were estimated at 57 billion CFA francs in 2020, with cumulative losses projected to reach 618 billion CFA francs by 2037.

Adama Zango, coordinator of the PRECI-ACONTA project, highlighted the country's progress in resisting tobacco industry interference, noting Burkina Faso ranks 8th globally and 3rd in Africa on the 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index. To maintain this momentum, advocates are calling for the adoption of revised anti-tobacco laws that include new tobacco products, decrees to prevent industry interference in public health policy, and the implementation of neutral packaging.