Health alert in Senegal: Children starting to smoke as young as 7, a new law urgently needed

Senegalese children are starting to use tobacco as young as 7, while e-cigarettes and shisha are gaining ground among younger children. This is one of the main findings of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2023), the results of which were presented on Monday, July 13, 2026, during a day of sharing organized by the National Tobacco Control Program (PNLT) with the National Association of Imams and Ulemas of Senegal (ANIOS).

An increasingly early initiation

Dr. Oumar Ba, coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Program (PNLT), highlighted several worrying figures. According to the survey results, 58% of smokers in Senegal started before the age of 20, while some begin smoking as young as 7.

The program manager is also concerned about the rise of new forms of consumption, particularly electronic cigarettes and shisha, which have become especially attractive to children.

"These products look like markers, pens or other gadgets designed to attract younger people. They contain high doses of nicotine and in some cases, cannabis derivatives have been found," he warned.

Another worrying observation: persistent exposure to passive smoking in public places despite the ban provided for by current legislation.

A new law is pending.

In response to this evolution in the tobacco market, the Ministry of Health is working on a revision of the legal framework. According to Dr. Ba, a draft law aimed at regulating new tobacco products has already passed the technical committee stage and is currently on the desk of the Secretary General of the Government.

The text will then have to be examined by the Council of Ministers, transmitted to the National Assembly and then promulgated by the President of the Republic before it comes into force.

“We need a law to regulate these new products and protect the population, especially young people. Many electronic cigarettes sold in Senegal come from countries where their sale is prohibited. They even bear the label 'Export Only',” stressed the coordinator of the PNLT.

He also pointed out that one shisha session is equivalent to about 40 cigarettes, contrary to the perception that this practice is less harmful.

Present at the meeting, Professor Abdoul Aziz Kassé raised the alarm about the consequences of this early consumption.

"Children as young as seven and a half are already using shisha and electronic cigarettes. Their future is compromised if nothing is done," he said.

For the professor, raising awareness remains essential, but it must absolutely be accompanied by a strengthening of the legal framework.

"The solution lies in a change of policy. The law is ready, it is on the desk of the Secretary General of the Government. It now needs to be adopted and then implemented," he insisted.

The specialist also praised the commitment of religious leaders, believing that imams are essential intermediaries in raising awareness among the population.

Combating smoking among young people: imams mobilized

For his part, the president of the National Association of Imams and Ulemas of Senegal, Imam El Hadj Oumar Diène, promised the involvement of his organization in this fight.

According to him, new forms of smoking represent an unprecedented challenge. "Today, someone can discreetly smoke at home with an electronic cigarette or a shisha. However, many are unaware that one shisha session is equivalent to about forty cigarettes," he explained.

The imam called for a general mobilization of religious authorities, the state and the whole of civil society in order to accelerate the adoption of the new law and to protect young people from the dangers of tobacco.

Through this meeting, the Ministry of Health intends to make imams key partners in prevention in order to curb the progression of smoking and its new forms of consumption which now constitute a major public health issue in Senegal.