Health
Tobacco Use in Uganda Declines, But Secondhand Smoke Exposure on the Rise — New National Survey Reveals
The latest findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) have revealed a notable decline in tobacco use across Uganda, dropping from 7.9% in 2013 to 6.7% in 2023. The nationwide survey, conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), highlights both progress and persistent challenges in the country’s fight against tobacco.
Releasing the data during a dissemination meeting held on July 16, Dr. Joseph Magoola, an epidemiologist with AFENET, attributed the reduction in smoking to policy interventions such as the 2015 Tobacco Control Act. The law introduced strict measures including smoke-free public spaces, pictorial health warnings, and advertising bans.
“The data clearly shows that legislative measures are bearing fruit, especially among women, where the decline has been more pronounced,” Dr. Magoola said. “However, regional disparities remain. Northern Uganda continues to have the highest tobacco use, while eastern Uganda reports the lowest rates.”
The survey, conducted between November and December 2023, involved interviews with residents in randomly selected households across all regions of Uganda. It further revealed that tobacco use is most prevalent among people aged 45 and above, with a rate of 12.2%.
Despite gains in reducing direct tobacco consumption, the report raises red flags about exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the findings, exposure in government buildings has increased significantly — from 5.9% in 2013 to 8.3% in 2023 — pointing to lapses in the enforcement of smoke-free public space regulations.
Chris Kwizera, Executive Director of the Uganda Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, expressed alarm over these trends. “We are seeing a failure to uphold the law in spaces meant to set the standard — government buildings. Conflicts of interest are partly to blame, with some policymakers or their associates owning bars and other public venues where smoking occurs unchecked,” he said.
Concerns were also raised regarding health warnings on tobacco packaging. Only 58% of respondents reported noticing such warnings, despite legal mandates requiring clear labelling. Dr. Hafisa Lukwata, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Control at the Ministry of Health, noted that many smokers purchase single sticks rather than full packs, particularly from informal and illicit sources.
“Single stick sales and the booming illegal cigarette trade are undermining our public health communication efforts,” she said. “That’s why the Ministry has chosen not to create smoking zones — doing so would only legitimise the behaviour.”
The survey also gauged public attitudes towards tobacco control policies. Over 80% of respondents favoured increasing taxes on tobacco products — a move widely supported by health advocates as an effective deterrent. However, attendees at the dissemination event expressed doubts about whether such measures would be implemented, citing the tobacco industry’s influence within policymaking institutions.
As Uganda marks a decade since the passage of the Tobacco Control Act, the latest data underscores both the successes and the unfinished business in reducing tobacco harm. Experts and civil society actors are calling for stronger enforcement, targeted public education, and reforms to close legal and institutional loopholes.
Meanwhile, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) is a global standard for monitoring tobacco use and tracking key tobacco control indicators. Uganda first participated in the survey in 2013.
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