By the application of decision No3271-D/MISANTE/CAB of 12 October 2015 of the ministry of public health, carrying the creation, organization and functioning of the multisectoral Commission on tobacco control (the Commission). The technical secretariat of the Commission is functional for some weeks now.
In Cameroon, tobacco control is at its optimum. To reinforce tobacco control and interest to advantage public administrations in tobacco control, the ministry of Public Health created by the decision No3271-D/MISANTE/CAB Of 12 October 2015 the anti-tobacco multisectoral Commission.Multisectoral consultative organ for the implementation of anti-tobacco measures in application of dispositions of the WHO's Framework Convention on tobacco Control, with missions:
– The reduction of the demand and offer of tobacco products;
– The development of legislations and regulations;
– The promotion of scientific cooperation in terms of research, communication and information.
It is does question for the commission to ameliorate the health of population by reducing dangers related to tobacco consumption, capacity building of actors implicated in tobacco control, but also the elaboration and examination of strategies concerning tobacco control in Cameroon. This, to result in the adoption of an anti-tobacco law in Cameroon.
Presided by the Minister of Public Health, the multisectoral commission on tobacco control is composed of a Coordinator ( Director of health promotion), a technical secretariat (The permanent secretariat of the National Committee against drugs) and of 26 members, representing many ministers (Prime Minister, Finance, Trade, Economy, Youth, Transport, Communication, Agriculture, Public Health, Basic Education…), World Health Organization, Cameroonian Parliamentary Network on tobacco control (Oxygen) and the Cameroon coalition to Counter Tobacco(C3T).
For tobacco control experts in Cameroon, the creation of this entity will permit to reduce significantly the dangers related to tobacco consumption and also the exposition to the secondhand smoke of tobacco.