20.2% of Egyptians are smokers: CAPMAS

CAIRO – 30 May 2017: Almost 12.6 million Egyptians are smokers, making up 20.2 percent of the total population, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) stated Monday, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.

At least 38.5 percent of Egyptian males smoke, compared to 1.5 percent among females, the statement read, relying on 2016 statistics.

World "No Tobacco" Day is organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 31 of each year, to highlight the health risks of smoking and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

This year, the celebration is held under the slogan of “Tobacco – a threat to development.” The goals of the campaign are to highlight the links between tobacco usage and sustainable development and encourage countries to include tobacco control in their 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

According to CAPMAS 2015 survey linking smoking to income, expenditure and consumption, 23 million Egyptians are exposed to negative smoking, half of which are females. Moreover, 41.2 percent of employers smoke, and the average annual expenditure of an Egyptian household on smoking is LE 1,722 ($95.14).

In July 2014, the government increased the retail prices of cigarettes, to cost about LE1 more per pack, following an increase in cigarette taxes. Another 50 percent increase followed in February 2015. By the end of 2016, prices hiked by another 10 percent.

WHO had praised Egypt's decision to increase taxes on cigarettes, saying that it is consistent with WHO recommendations on tobacco control.