DJIBOUTI CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL ANTI-TOBACCO DAY

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000758 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EINV SOCI PREL DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL ANTI-TOBACCO DAY ¶1. (U) The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization co-hosted Djibouti's celebration of the "Journee Mondiale Sans Tabac (International Anti-Tobacco Day) on May ¶31. Pol/Econ officer joined international organization members and women's groups in attendance at the mini-conference the Ministry organized that covered the economic, social, health and religious impacts of tobacco use. Khat chewing and Shisha smoking were also addressed as health risks that fall in the same category as smoking. Speeches given focused on an overarching link between poverty and the higher prevalence of tobacco addiction and other health issues related to tobacco. The May 31 edition of La Nation ran an article on the health risks of tobacco uses, drawing many of their points from speeches given at the conference. RTD (Radio Television Djibouti) was present at the conference and was expected to air details of the conference on the nation's evening news programs. ¶2. (U) The coverage given to anti-tobacco campaigns in a country where more than 50 percent of the population smokes may be a trend that began in the higher ranks of the government. In a May 16 broadcast of CNN's "Diplomatic License" hosted by Richard Roth, Djiboutian Ambassador to the United States Roble Olhaye spoke briefly on Djibouti's recent signing of the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Ambassador Olhaye commented that there have been small successes in reducing smoking but with the signing of the treaty, he said he fully expected a greater impact. Djibouti signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control two days after the U.S. signed. RAGSDALE