DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

PRESS RELEASE Nº062/2015

African Union celebrates the 7th Africa Healthy Lifestyle Day under the theme “Tobacco Free Environment Starts with You”

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12 March 2015: African Union Medical Services Directorate in collaboration with the Department of Social Affairs and other stakeholders today commemorated the 7th Africa Healthy Lifestyle Day under the theme “Tobacco-free environment start with you” at the African Union Commission Headquarters. The celebration brought together different stakeholders different stakeholders from World Health organization (WHO), Civil Society and students.

In his welcoming remarks, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha pointed out the necessity for Africa to protect human resources, the most important resource that a continent can have. Through the observance of a healthy life style, African citizens can preserve their health and participate fully in development process that will lead us to the Africa we want. He also underlined the commitment of African Union to bring an Africa free of Tobacco. “The commitment was started in 1999 and intensified in the following years, leading to a unified voice in Africa committing to tobacco control and improved public health”, said Mr Erastus Mwencha. “This is time for action. Africa must show leadership in ensuring that the present tide is reversed and that the next generation will suffer less from harmful effects of tobacco”, he concluded.

In his statement, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs reiterated the Deputy Chairpersons’ remarks on a tobacco free Africa saying that planning for the Africa we want as stipulated on the Agenda 2063 has sited the effects of smoking which needs to be improved at the very onset of the 50 years target. Though highlighting that Africa has continued to record persistent increase in the valence of smoking, Kaloko underscored that Tobacco use is arguably the single most avoidable cause of death in the global society and the most important public health issue of our time. “The Challenge posed by tobacco to health and socio-economic development gravely threatens our future, therefore, it is essential to formulate a clear response in order to protect human health and to ensure that it is placed at the center of our strides in combating the avoidable health and socio-economic consequences of tobacco use.”

Commissioner Kaloko also put emphasis on smoking among young people saying it needs to be addressed and early messages should be sent about the devastating consequences of smoking. “We know that most of them start smoking when they are as young as 8 years. Therefore there is a need to impart clear messages to children when they are still in primary school on the magnitude of the effects of smoking.”

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco is one of the primary causes of preventable deaths in the world. About six million are currently estimated to die annually from tobacco use, with over 600 000 deaths due to exposure to second-hand smoke. In Africa, tobacco-attributable mortality is currently around 3%.

Africa Healthy Lifestyle day is celebrated on the last Friday of February each year This day was adopted by the Executive Council in July 2008 within the framework of the World Health Organization strategy for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases through awareness raising and communication activities. The event ended with award of certificates to the Participants by the Director of AU Medical Services Dr. Yankuba Gassama.

YA/JL

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia