Audio By Carbonatix
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
-
UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy
1 hour -
Attack on Kyiv shows ‘Russia doesn’t want peace’, Zelensky says
1 hour -
Two dead in 50-vehicle pile up on Japan highway
2 hours -
Fearing deportation, Hondurans in the US send more cash home than ever before
2 hours -
New York blanketed in snow, sparking travel chaos
2 hours -
Creative Canvas 2025: Documenting Ghana’s creative year beyond the noise
5 hours -
We would have lost that game last season – Guardiola
6 hours -
Nigeria reach AFCON last 16 despite Tunisia fightback
6 hours -
‘He just needed more time’ – Wirtz finally breaks Liverpool duck
6 hours -
Arsenal in ‘survival’ mode as ‘sensational’ Raya save keeps them top
6 hours -
‘Wizkid is my boy, I accommodated him years ago’ – American rapper, Wale
6 hours -
[Video] ‘I don stop to dey give belle anyhow’ – 2Baba confesses
6 hours -
‘No artist is wack, every music is tailor-made’ – 2Baba
7 hours -
[Video]Timaya falls on stage while trying to lift plus-sized woman during performance
7 hours -
Family cremates wrong body after hospital mistake in Scotland
7 hours
