Smoking is an act enjoyed by many for reasons known to them. Although many times, awareness has been made about how smoking can shorten the human lifespan, it’s still very prevalent in our society, and it is also one of the leading causes of death and diseases such as erectile dysfunction, heart attack and lung cancer.
Tobacco is mainly taken by people apart from cannabis and cocaine. Some countries have tried to restrict and enact policies against smoking. But this is not the case in the African countries with the highest smokers shared below, according to the Wisevoter report.
1. Tunisia
In Tunisia, the consumption of tobacco causes premature death. The age at which smoking starts in this country is very concerning; some children begin taking tobacco as early as seven years. Boys highly consume it; girls are not left out. The easy accessibility to substances accelerates cigarette smoking in Tunisia, most especially among youngsters who eventually become addicted.
2. Egypt
Smoking cigarettes is very prevalent in Egypt; tobacco products are consumed daily. Apart from cigarettes, shisha is another form of tobacco consumption. The World Lung Foundation ranked Egypt as one of the top ten per capita consumers of tobacco. The number of adult smokers keeps increasing in this country.
3. South Africa
Smoking is common among men and women in South Africa. Tobacco is inhaled every day; it
accounts for one of the top ten causes of death. Stroke, heart disease and lung cancer are traced to tobacco intake. Well, the dangers of smoking are now more publicised in the country.
4. Mauritius
Mauritius is currently one of the African countries doing all it can to combat smoking in public, workplaces, beaches, outdoors and so on. Tobacco intake is done mainly by men because, culturally, smoking is associated with masculinity and a symbol of maturity. But it is still widespread.
5. Seychelles
Seychelles is also battling a high rate of cigarette intake. Tobacco products are always sourced despite the country’s effort to eradicate them by creating awareness of adopting a healthy lifestyle.
6. Botswana
People die from tobacco use every year in Botswana. The government has been striving to promote a healthy society while controlling smoking. There has always been an increase in the number of males consuming cigarettes compared to females in the country.
7. Namibia
Namibia is also one of the African countries with the highest number of smokers. About a thousand people die from tobacco use every year. Different initiatives have been taken to reduce the death rates. Funds that can change lives positively or make one rise out of poverty are spent on cigarettes.
8. Morocco
Cigarette inhaling is very prominent in Morocco; almost a quarter of males in the country are regular smokers. It is just about a percent of the female population that takes it. About seventy-five percent of lung cancer deaths and ten percent of respiratory diseases in the country are attributed to smoking. In addition, shisha smoking is on the rise.
9. Republic of Congo
Both young and old are tobacco users in Congo. Cigarettes are very affordable; there is no concrete law against it. But in schools, hospitals, restaurants, public transport and workplaces, taking harmful substances is prohibited.
10. Zambia
Despite efforts to slow down the rate of smoking in Zambia, the cigarette market keeps going high. Both Zambians in the urban and rural areas inhale cigarettes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted that the number of smokers will increase by 2025. The country has already recorded thousands of tobacco-related deaths.
Compared to other continents, Africa still has the lowest number of smokers in the world. The use of tobacco in Africa has generally been declining and will continue to decline. However, the countries above are the highest within Africa.
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