Smoking in Morocco: an outline of the anti-smoking campaign

In Morocco, as in many developing countries, tobacco use has become a plague which aggravates the many already existing problems. A coordinated prevention programme which included research and a variety of educational efforts, has been underway for the past five years. The preliminary stage of the non-smoking campaign consisted of research through use of a variety of standardized questionnaires. The research results showed tobacco use in Morocco to be the following: 23.8% of secondary students are smokers with variation according to family, culture, environment and sex (33% male vs. 8.6% female); 33.8% of university students smoke, including those in Medical Schools; 52.1% of adults in the work environment smoke, including doctors. The rate declines drastically among practicing muslims (between the ages of 14 and 65) to 9.8%. The use of other drugs is significantly higher in students who use tobacco (25%) than those who do not (1.5%). A common factor appeared regardless of age, sex, or occupation: there was insufficient information available concerning the harmful effects of smoking. An educational campaign was therefore launched. As the youth were considered to be the most vulnerable target group, a major part of the educational efforts was concentrated on them. A variety of activities was implemented including conference-debates using audiovisual supports; radio and T.V. broadcasts; contests run with the assistance of the CIPADED (International Committee for the Prevention of Alcohol/Drug Dependence). Information of the harmful effects of tobacco use was diffused in workplaces, government offices, and at public assemblies. Efforts were also implemented to promote adoption of legislation which would limit tobacco consumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)