National Campaign "Sport Without Tobacco" Launched to Combat Smoking
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has launched a national campaign called "Sport Without Tobacco" in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. This initiative is part of the "Urban Governance Initiative for Health and Well-being" and is in line with the framework agreement to develop an action plan to combat tobacco.
On Monday, October 13, 2025, Olfa Saïdi, Director of the WHO office in Tunisia, was a guest on the Youm Saïd show on National Radio, where she warned about the dangers of smoking to human health. She emphasized that the world records 8 million deaths annually due to tobacco-related diseases, including 1 million people affected by second-hand smoke.
Campaign Objectives
The campaign focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and encouraging sports practice as a preventive means to promote physical activity and quality of life, in addition to supporting young people in reducing their tobacco consumption. The campaign includes:
- Organizing awareness days in sports centers and regional delegations
- Sports demonstrations
- Free medical check-ups
- Awareness workshops in sports high schools
- Broadcasting awareness videos on social media platforms featuring renowned athletes, doctors, public health specialists, and coaches to explain the immediate benefits of quitting tobacco
Tobacco Consumption Among Youth
Olfa Saïdi explained that 22.8% of Tunisian adolescents aged 13-15 (30% of boys and 15% of girls) consume tobacco products, while 45% of children under 12 have already tried smoking at least once. She stressed the need to revise laws to prohibit the sale of tobacco to children.
The Devastating Impact of Tobacco
She added that smoking causes 65,000 child deaths worldwide each year, with one-fifth of these deaths due to second-hand smoke. The campaign aims to protect children and young people from this dangerous health scourge.
Key Statistics
- 8 million deaths annually due to tobacco-related diseases
- 1 million people affected by second-hand smoke
- 22.8% of Tunisian adolescents aged 13-15 consume tobacco products
- 45% of children under 12 have already tried smoking at least once
- 65,000 child deaths worldwide each year due to smoking
By launching this national campaign, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the WHO aim to reduce tobacco consumption among young people and promote a healthier lifestyle through sports and physical activity.
