Tobacco companies targeting Africa - report

While Parliament grapples with the proposed tobacco bill, a research conducted by UCT has found that the African continent "has become a prime target" for production and consumption by major tobacco companies.  

According to the university, its Economics of Tobacco Control Project states that "Africa has become an attractive market for the tobacco industry given its increases in income, population size, foreign direct investment as well as improved life expectancy". 

Consumers in Africa are now able to afford cigarettes and coupled with weak tobacco control laws, this has resulted in the tobacco industry focusing its attention on increasing its market presence.

Titled "Trends in cigarette demand and supply in Africa", the project found that there were over 60 production facilities in 30 countries in the continent. Furthermore, consumers were now able to afford cigarettes. 

This was also boosted by lenient tobacco laws. 

"Production growth and restructuring have resulted in industry consolidation creating five African main tobacco producing hubs: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria," according to the university. 

The study looked into cigarette smoking in 22 countries and found that "between 1990 and 2012, cigarette consumption increased from 165.6 billion to 238.5 billion cigarettes, or by 44%". 

“This upward trend in consumption continues today,” said Nicole Vellios, a researcher and co-author of the study. 

The research considered that the demand may be driven a growth in population on the continent, and that several states also record increased smoking rates.    

Dr Hana Ross, principal researcher and co-author of the study, said: “Tobacco companies are thriving on the continent due to the weak anti-tobacco and tax laws in many African countries.”