Tobacco Smoking and Cardiovascular Health in Africa: Trends, Interventions, and Policy Implications—A Narrative Review

Background and Aims Tobacco smoking in Africa presents a significant public health challenge, particularly concerning cardiovascular health among young adults and men. While global smoking prevalence has declined, World Health Organization (WHO) projections estimate that the total number of tobacco smokers in Africa will rise from 57 million in 2015 to 67 million by 2025. This trend compounds the region's existing burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This narrative review aims to analyze tobacco smoking trends, elucidate the link between smoking and CVDs, evaluate implemented interventions, and assess policy responses across African nations. Methods This literature review was performed using electronic search databases comprising PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online (AJOL). Using keywords and associated Boolean operators pertaining to “tobacco smoking”, “cardiovascular health”, and “Africa”, studies were selected based on their relevance and content quality. Studies focusing on tobacco use and CVD risks within African regions were included. Relevant references from regional public health and medical databases were also included. Results While relative smoking prevalence has experienced marginal declines, the absolute number of tobacco users in Africa is projected to rise significantly. This is due to rapid population growth, demographic shifts, and commercial determinants such as aggressive industry marketing and weak regulatory frameworks. This trend worsens CVDs like heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. Interventions such as public awareness campaigns, graphic warning labels, and progressive taxation show promise but suffer from inconsistent enforcement. Conclusion Addressing these trends requires evidence‐driven policy enforcement and multi‐sectoral collaboration to mitigate tobacco smoking‐related cardiovascular risks. Prioritizing targeted interventions for vulnerable populations remains critical to reducing projected regional health and economic burdens.