Fifteen years after the adoption of a clear anti-smoking law in Chad, the reality on the ground in N’Djamena tells a different story. Despite the legislation, smoking in public spaces remains widespread and enforcement is almost nonexistent.
Take a walk through N’Djamena’s bustling markets—such as the Central Market or Dembé—and you’ll see firsthand the disconnect between policy and practice. Vendors and customers casually light up amidst crowds, blending cigarette smoke with dust and the scent of street food.
« We’ve grown so used to the smoke here that we barely notice it anymore. The law exists, but no one follows it. It’s unacceptable, » says Pélagie, a fish seller who spends her days surrounded by the haze.
« In other countries, there are designated smoking areas, but here we’re all mixed together. Even schools and hospitals have smokers. The government needs to act. » Christian, a local resident, echoes this frustration.
From bars and restaurants to taxis, non-smokers are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. « I have asthma and severe allergies to cigarette and shisha smoke. That’s why I stopped going to restaurants—no one respects the rules. »
Passive smoking poses serious health risks, including increased chances of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory illnesses. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Beyond health concerns, discarded cigarette butts litter the streets, contributing to pollution and even fire hazards.
The 2010 law n° 010/PR/2010 explicitly bans smoking in all public places, closed workplaces, and public transport. It also safeguards pregnant women and minors while outlining penalties. Additional decrees, like n° 1522/PR/MSP/2019, were later introduced to clarify enforcement. Public health campaigns led by the Ministry of Public Health and the N’Djamena city council have been rolled out, including the formation of an anti-tobacco brigade. Yet, despite these efforts, compliance remains critically low over a decade later.
