Cameroon has banned the smoking of shisha pipes, saying it poses a health risk to the mostly young people who use it in bars and at home.
About 46% of young Cameroonians smoke the substance according to the health ministry - which is typically a mix of tobacco, molasses, glycerine and flavourings.
Doctors say there is a "misconception" that shishas are not as harmful as cigarettes and the British Heart Foundation says an hour-long shisha session can be the equivalent of smoking more than 100 cigarettes.
"Traditionally shisha tobacco contains cigarette tobacco, so like cigarettes it contains nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and heavy metals, such as arsenic and lead," it says.
In recent years shisha has also been banned in Tanzania as well as Sudan - though the ban there has been reversed and reintroduced several times since.
Latest Stories
-
‘We’ve reintroduced anti-LGBTQ bill’ – Sam George vows fidelity to Ghanaian Family Values
1 hour -
Low voltage and power fluctuations experienced in Volta Region due to insufficient supply from GRIDCO – ECG
2 hours -
‘We’ll blacklist Mobile Money fraudsters across all networks’ – Communications Minister
2 hours -
No MP or Minister advertises job offers on social media – Sam George warns public
2 hours -
Guirassy hits Dortmund treble but Barca reach semis
2 hours -
My fidelity as Communications Minister is to Ghanaians, not MNOs – Sam George
2 hours -
Rodent nests found near house where Gene Hackman’s wife died of hantavirus
2 hours -
I’ve summoned EMIs over recent mobile money fraud cases – Communications Minister
2 hours -
Pope puts architect Antoni Gaudí on path to sainthood
2 hours -
Russian hairdresser jailed over neighbour claim of spreading fake news
3 hours -
Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status after freezing $2bn funding
3 hours -
Players are heartbroken – Ghana Hockey Vice on teams withdrawal from Championships
3 hours -
‘Unmet’ expectations in the face of a rising indigenous bauxite company
3 hours -
Obama calls Trump’s freeze of Harvard funding ‘unlawful’
3 hours -
eTranzact Ghana clinches top honours at Corporate Finance Gala Dinner 2025
4 hours