Tobacco use remains a major public health challenge across the world, and Morocco is no exception. Despite efforts to reduce tobacco consumption, the number of smokers remains significant. Sustaining public policies already in place remains the priority, but innovative solutions should nevertheless be put in place.
The impact of smoking on health is undeniable. At the origin of chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung and respiratory cancers, cardiovascular diseases, tobacco is an omnipresent threat to the health of Moroccans. A real public health problem, tobacco is today an “epidemic not only in Morocco, but globally,” says Professor Hassan Jouhadi, oncologist at Casablanca University Hospital, invited during a round table organized on Wednesday by our colleagues from La Vie éco around new paradigms in the fight against the risks of smoking.
Sustain the programs
The public policies carried out by the State have made it possible to achieve “extremely interesting results”, continues the professor. “Since the introduction of the first measures, we have noted a drop from 23% to 13% in the number of smokers in Morocco,” underlines, with supporting figures, Professor Jouhadi, for whom it will be necessary to “sustain these programs” and “ ensure that the laws already enacted, in particular, are applied and respected.” The harmful effects of smoking on smokers are devastating, as explained by Dr Moncef Idrissi, addictologist, present at this meeting.
According to him, “60% to 90% of smokers have psychiatric comorbidities, ranging from mild anxiety disorders to post-traumatic stress disorders, or even eating disorders.” Worse still, “nicotine is also known to be depressogenic, it is a scientific reality”, underlines the doctor.
According to the two specialists, “the solution could be in nicotine”. “Certain products containing nicotine can actually reduce the consumption of traditional cigarettes.” These products, such as patches, sprays, snus or even the controversial drug called Champix, are not widely or not available in Morocco, although they “should be and should even be reimbursable”. This also highlights the need for concerted action, both at the level of public policies and clinical practices, to effectively combat the tobacco epidemic in Morocco. By investing in awareness, education and access to smoking cessation products, the country can hope for a healthier future and be rid of the ravages of tobacco.
Sami Nemli / ECO Inspirations
