Consumption of chichia: Time to end the games

Despite being prohibited for several years, the consumption of chichia, a form of water pipe smoking, continues openly in public establishments across Burkina Faso. Young people are frequently seen in groups, comfortably smoking chichia in "maquis" (bars/eateries) and other public places, displaying a clear defiance of the law.

This ongoing practice implicates both the consumers and the owners or managers of establishments who permit it. In response, the Municipal Police of Ouagadougou recently conducted an operation, seizing nearly 60 chichia consumption devices. While similar operations and awareness campaigns have occurred previously, the practice persists, suggesting that only forceful measures might compel users to desist.

Health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), warn of severe risks associated with chichia. A single session can be equivalent to smoking 100 to 200 traditional cigarettes. Beyond cancers and arterial damage, the shared use of mouthpieces facilitates the transmission of viruses like herpes, hepatitis, influenza, and tuberculosis. The article urges authorities to "call an end to the games," emphasizing that the consumption of chichia, often mistakenly seen as a sign of status, is linked to behavioral issues such as prostitution and criminality, posing a significant threat in the current security context.