Smoking prevalence and tobacco control measures in Kenya, Uganda, the Gambia and Liberia: a review [Review article]

BACKGROUND: Smoking prevalence is increasing in developing countries. These resource-poor countries will have to battle tobacco-related diseases before they have eliminated common communicable diseases.METHODS: We conducted a computerised search of PubMed to identify published estimates of smoking prevalence in Kenya, the Gambia, Uganda and Liberia. We also reviewed tobacco control measures in each country using information provided by the respective health departments.RESULTS: We noted a high prevalence of smoking in Kenya, Uganda and the Gambia. There were no published data on tobacco use prevalence for Liberia. Tobacco control measures were inadequate.CONCLUSION: Standardised prevalence studies involving general populations should be conducted. Tobacco control efforts need to be reinforced.