1st African Congress on Tobacco or Health
Casablanca, Morocco, 8 December 2006
Session on Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD)
The tobacco consumption is alarming increasing in African countries: 30-39% of men smoke in Morocco and Egypt, 40-49% in Algeria, Ivory Cost, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, 60% and more in Tunisia, Namibia and Kenya, according to the WHO Tobacco Atlas (2000). Tobacco consumption causes diseases, such as chronic respiratory diseases, not only on active smokers but also on passive smokers, the more vulnerable being children. Tobacco smoking, indoor air and outdoor pollution are among the most important risk factors for preventable chronic respiratory diseases. WHO estimates that in 2005, some four million people died of chronic respiratory diseases.
Programme and presentations
14.00-14.25: WHO and the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), Dr Nikolai Khaltaev, Responsible Officer, Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Arthritis, Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, World Health Organization
14.25-14.50: Promotion of GARD in Portuguese speaking countries, Dr José Rosado Pinto, Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal
14.50-15.15: Development of GARD Tunisia, Dr Ali Ben Kheder, Ministere de la Sante Publique, Republique Tunisienne, Hopital A.Mami Ariana, Ariana, Tunisia
15.15-15.30: Discussion