Sex-related inequalities in current cigarette smoking among adolescents in Africa

This study sheds light on the sex-based inequalities in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among adolescents in Africa. In contrast to female adolescents, male adolescents bear a greater burden of current cigarette smoking. The burden of cigarette smoking is most pronounced in low-income countries such as Mali, Madagascar, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and The Gambia. Conversely, in most of the lower and upper-middle-income countries surveyed, the burdens of current cigarette smoking among male and female adolescents were found to be less disparate. Consequently, cigarette smoking prevention programmes and strategies must be implemented in all African nations. There is also the need to intensify interventions aimed at altering the smoking behaviour of male adolescents. Policymakers can develop and implement evidence-based interventions to address the burden of cigarette smoking among the adolescents. Finally, existing policies and programmes addressing adolescents' cigarette smoking should be re-assessed and strengthened to achieve their objectives.