Senegalese health authorities and the World Health Organization have expressed serious concern over increasing tobacco and nicotine use among young people. Data reveals one in five Senegalese children have already experimented with tobacco, with an average starting age of just seven years old. Experts at a recent Dakar event highlighted the tobacco industry’s tactics, including appealing flavors, packaging, social media influence, and new nicotine products, as key drivers of this trend. While Senegal has seen a 25% decrease in adult smoking rates – from 6% to 4.4% – officials fear this progress is threatened by the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches among adolescents. Authorities are planning to strengthen tobacco control measures, focusing on banning new products, stricter law enforcement, youth awareness campaigns, cessation services, product traceability, and dedicated funding through taxation. Experts emphasize that nearly 90% of smokers begin before age 18 and that no nicotine product is without risk.