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