In observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026, a significant event themed "Protecting Generations from Tobacco and Nicotine Industry Interference," Algeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating tobacco use. The Ministry of Health announced the continued implementation of a comprehensive national multi-sectoral strategy designed to mitigate the public health impacts of this pervasive issue.
Algeria
Speaking at the opening of a study day held in Sétif at the Houari-Boumediene House of Culture, Djamel Fourar, Director General of Prevention and Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, underscored the strategy's foundation on several complementary pillars aimed at enhancing citizen prevention and protection. This robust approach includes reinforcing the regulatory and legislative framework, notably through solidifying laws prohibiting smoking in public spaces. Furthermore, it mandates stronger health warnings on tobacco product packaging, bans sales to minors, and tightens control over advertising and indirect promotional tactics for tobacco and nicotine products.
Fourar also emphasized the crucial role of awareness campaigns, conducted in partnership with various institutional sectors and civil society actors. These initiatives are designed to support smokers in their cessation efforts and to bolster prevention among the most vulnerable populations. Addressing a gathering of experts from the anti-tobacco committee and health professionals, Mr. Fourar reiterated that tobacco consumption, in all its forms, remains one of the greatest global health, economic, social, and environmental threats. Citing international estimates, he highlighted that tobacco is responsible for over 8 million deaths annually, with more than one million attributed to passive smoking. This presents a formidable public health challenge for Algeria, particularly amid the rising consumption of electronic cigarettes and novel nicotine products among young people.
The Director General reminded attendees that Algeria was among the first African nations to ratify the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2006. This early commitment has enabled the country to progressively strengthen its legal and regulatory arsenal in this domain. Reflecting on the 2026 World No Tobacco Day theme, he noted its clear resonance with the escalating challenges confronting public health systems worldwide. He specifically cautioned against the proliferation of new tobacco and nicotine products and deceptive marketing campaigns targeting youth and adolescents.
The study day convened nearly 200 public health practitioners from seven wilayas. The inaugural session featured several presentations by anti-smoking experts. Among them, Professor Houria Houichat, a specialist in pulmonology, outlined the state's concerted efforts to combat tobacco use, with a focus on legislative and regulatory enhancements. Dr. Kamel Aït Boubli, an epidemiologist and preventive medicine specialist at the Ministry of Health, detailed various measures implemented across Algeria to fight tobacco addiction and reduce its impact on public health.
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