Issues Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Every year, more than 22500 of its peopleare killed by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 33000 children (10-14 years old) and 3097000 adults (15+ years old) continue to usetobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in the Democratic Republic of theCongo and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities andresources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

14.1%Even though fewer men smoke on average inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 2907700 men who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoing anddire public health threat.

Female

0.9%Even though fewer women smoke in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 189900 women who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoing anddire public health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

0.55%Even though fewer boys smoke in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 27600 boys who smoke cigaretteseach day, making it an ongoing and dire publichealth threat.

Girls

0.11%Even though fewer girls smoke in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 5500 girls who smoke cigarettes eachday, making it sign of an ongoing and dire publichealth threat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

5%Even though fewer men die from tobacco inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, tobacco stillkills 330 men every week, necessitating actionfrom policymakers.

Female

1.64%Even though fewer women die from tobacco inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo than onaverage in low-HDI countries, tobacco stillkills 103 women every week, necessitatingaction from policymakers.

Societal Harms

Although economic costs of smoking in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo are not known, the total economic cost of smokingglobally amounts to 2 trillion dollars, when adjusted for 2016purchasing power parity (PPP). This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lostproductivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

9.7% More people use smokeless tobacco in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo than on average in low-HDIcountries.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 1009% largerthan the Gross National Income of the Democratic Republic of theCongo. The industry is a powerful force that does not fear theactions of nation-states because of their extensive resources andglobal market power.

Growing

There were 3887 metric tons of tobaccoproduced in the Democratic Republic of theCongo in 2014. However, tobacco growing isonly a small fraction of agriculture in Dem.Rep. of Congo, with only 0.03% ofagricultural land devoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

n/a

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Solutions Democratic Republic of the Congo

Current Policy in the DemocraticRepublic of the CongoProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free is the bestpractice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Dem. Rep. of Congo

18.7%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (neither cost-covered)

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Text

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 No

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program n/a

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience n/a

Target Audience Research Was Conducted n/a

Aired On Television And/Or Radio n/a

Utilized Media Planning n/a

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign n/a

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation n/a

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness n/a

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

7/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

8/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

n/a

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Brand name of non-tobacco products used for tobacco product• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Complete ban on sponsorship• Any form of contribution (financial or other support) to any event, activity or individual• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industryof events, activities, individuals

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