Environmental & Lung Health Association sensitizes dockworkers on tobacco effects, respiratory diseases.

The campaign which took place between the 28th to 29th April, 2025, ELHEAS officials said, was within the sidelines of activities marking this year edition of the international labour day. Going by the association's promoter Prof. Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou, they had as main objective to fight against environmental and respiratory disease through sensitizations, trainings and screening campaigns. 

"So that is why on the sidelines of the International Labor Day, we decided this year to visit the workers of the dockyards who work onboard a ship. Amongst them, there are many who smoke and some of them are exposed to dust in the work environment. So that why we partnered with the doctor of the company and proposed that we would like to come there and sensitize them on smoking and do the screening of respiratory diseases" Prof Mbatchou said 

Occupational health specialists at CDS Dr Siakam said dockworkers work under very difficult conditions and should gain more knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco on the lungs because they are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke, especially in environments where smoking is common. 

This exposure can lead to various respiratory problems, including Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Diseases,COPD and lung cancer. As such educating dockworkers about these risks can encourage them to avoid secondhand smoke and promote healthier habits in the workplace, significantly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer. Healthy lungs contribute to overall well-being and can improve quality of life.

The volunteers of Environmental and Lung Health Association, took time for the two days gathered tens of the dockworkers delivered educative talks to let them know that smoking has no positive effects on humans.

" We listed the different health conditions related to tobacco, our aim at the beginning was target 300 or so but we have already gotten over 150 on the first day of the campaign Melissa Kwenkeu

Screening of Lung function was done through the spirometry test measuring how much air the workers can inhale and exhale, as well as how quickly they could can exhale. This test is used to diagnose and monitor conditions that affect breathing, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, and other lung diseases.  Those who would have been diagnosed of any related illnesses, would be followed for treatment by the campaign organizers.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post No 3439 Monday May 05, 2025