Passive smoking in N’Djamena: laws ignored despite health risks

Fifteen years after its adoption, legislation banning smoking in public spaces in Chad remains widely disregarded, especially in N’Djamena, where the habit persists unchecked.

a city where smoke mingles with daily chaos

Walking through N’Djamena’s busiest hubs reveals a stark contrast between policy and practice. At bustling markets like the Central Market or Dembé, vendors and customers light cigarettes freely, enveloping the crowd in a haze of smoke, dust, and food aromas. The air becomes thick with a cocktail of pollutants, long after the last puff should have been extinguished.

voices from the streets: frustration and resignation

Pélagie, a fish seller who spends her days in the market’s dense crowds, expresses her weariness: « We’ve grown accustomed to the smoke here. It’s part of our daily lives. Laws were passed, but no one follows them. It’s simply unacceptable. »

Christian, another resident, shares her frustration: « Elsewhere, smokers have designated areas. Here, everyone is mixed together—even in schools and hospitals. The government must step up and enforce the rules. »

The lack of enforcement extends beyond markets. Bars, restaurants, and taxis continue to expose non-smokers to secondhand smoke. One asthmatic resident explains why she avoids dining out: « I can’t tolerate cigarette or shisha smoke. Since no one respects the no-smoking rules, I’ve stopped going to restaurants altogether. »

health and environmental consequences of inaction

The dangers of passive smoking are well-documented. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke face higher risks of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies struggle against the toxic fumes. Beyond health, discarded cigarette butts litter the streets, contributing to pollution and even fire hazards in dry conditions.

a law with teeth, but no bite

Chad’s anti-tobacco law, Law No. 010/PR/2010 dated June 10, 2010, explicitly prohibits smoking in all public places, closed workspaces, and public transport. It also safeguards pregnant women and minors, with penalties outlined for violations. Later, Decree No. 1522/PR/MSP/2019 provided further guidelines for implementation, alongside public awareness campaigns led by the Ministry of Public Health and N’Djamena’s city council. Even a dedicated anti-tobacco brigade was formed.

Yet, despite these measures, enforcement remains painfully weak. More than a decade after the law’s passage, N’Djamena’s streets tell a different story—one where smoking in restricted areas is the norm, and the health of citizens is compromised daily.