Maghreb experts call for common response to growing tobacco epidemic
via Business News4 min read
Experts from Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya convened in Tunis on June 2, 2026, for the conference "Smoking in the Maghreb: Reflections on a Common Challenge," organized by Med.tn, to address the escalating tobacco epidemic in the region. Tunisia alone records 13,200 tobacco-related deaths annually, with nearly 20% due to passive smoking and almost half occurring before age 70. Similar trends of high consumption, early initiation among youth, and significant health costs are observed in Algeria and Libya. The experts emphasized the need for coordinated regional strategies to combat this issue. Algerian epidemiologist Souad Bouaoud highlighted prevention as a top priority, focusing on deterring young people from starting to smoke through stricter regulations, more dissuasive taxation, and limiting access to tobacco products for minors. Tunisian cardiologist Dhaker Lahidheb noted that over half of myocardial infarctions in Tunisia are linked to smoking, and approximately 20% of deaths in the country are tobacco-related, with nearly one in two men being a smoker. Globally, tobacco causes about eight million deaths annually, including 1.3 million from passive smoking. Participants advocated for stronger public policies and better support for those wishing to quit, including wider access to cessation tools like nicotine substitutes, which are often unaffordable. Libyan pulmonologist Hachem Belkhir discussed a harm reduction approach, suggesting that non-combustion products could be st
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The Islamist movement Ennahdha reacted on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, to the verdicts delivered by the criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases of the Tunis Court of First Instance in the "secret apparatus" case. Among those convicted is Rached Ghannouchi, head of the movement, who received a life prison sentence, along with several other leaders. In a statement published the same day, the movement described these judgments as "shocking" and "unprecedented in the history of Tunisian justice," and presented its arguments to challenge their legitimacy. The movement noted that the complaint initiating these proceedings did not come from security or judicial services, but from representatives of an opposing political party. It also highlighted that the main accused, Mustapha Khedher, had already been tried and imprisoned for eight years for the same acts in 2013, when Ennahdha was in power, and that justice had then concluded there was no link between this case and the movement. The party further stated that Rached Ghannouchi was only added to the list of defendants in 2022, not as part of an autonomous judicial investigation, but at the direct request of the Ministry of Justice, which it presented as proof of the political nature of the case. Ennahdha denounced the court's refusal to hold public hearings in the presence of the media, despite repeated requests from the defense. The movement also contested the credibility of the testimonies used against them, attributing some t
Must ReadThe criminal chamber specializing in terrorism cases at the Tunis Court of First Instance delivered its verdict on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in the case concerning the alleged secret apparatus of the Ennahdha movement. Sentences range from ten years in prison to life imprisonment, with additional decades of imprisonment in some instances. The accused were found guilty of several terrorism-related offenses, including forming a terrorist organization, membership in a terrorist organization, providing skills and expertise to a group involved in terrorist activities, and other crimes under Tunisian anti-terrorism legislation. Mustapha Khedher received the heaviest sentence: life imprisonment plus 96 years. Ridha Barouni, Taher Boubahri, Kamel Aifi, and seven others were also sentenced to life imprisonment plus 76 years. Fathi Beldi received life imprisonment plus 50 years, while Abdelaziz Daghsni was sentenced to life imprisonment and 37 years. Kamel Bedoui received life imprisonment and 32 years. Samir Hannachi and Ennahdha movement president Rached Ghannouchi were sentenced to life imprisonment plus 30 years. Other accused, including Kaïs Baccar, Belhassen Nakkach, Ali Larayedh, and Ali Fréchichi, received sentences ranging from 34 to 48 years, with others receiving 10 to 18 years. All convicted individuals will be under administrative control for five years after serving their sentences. The case involved 35 accused, including Rached Ghannouchi and former Vice-President Ali Laray
The Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises Conect presented its vision for a new exchange code to the Finance and Budget Committee of the Assembly of People's Representatives on Monday, June 1, 2026. Conect representatives emphasized that this reform is a structural undertaking crucial for Tunisia's ability to attract investment, enhance business competitiveness, and integrate into international economic circuits. They argued that the current legislation is outdated for a globalized economy and advocated for a new framework that balances economic openness with monetary and financial stability. Conect proposed moving away from a system based on prior authorizations and administrative constraints towards one that grants greater freedom to economic operators while strengthening control and governance mechanisms. Key proposals include enshrining the principle of freedom in economic transactions, limiting restrictions to legally defined situations, easing current payments related to economic activity, and simplifying administrative procedures. The organization also stressed the importance of clear deadlines for administrative requests to improve investor visibility and legal certainty. Discussions also covered adapting to the digital economy, cross-border services, and financial technologies to maintain Tunisia's attractiveness. Conect highlighted the need for stronger legal guarantees for investors, particularly concerning investment management and income transfer, noting
The Central Bank of Tunisia BCT has authorized banks to reschedule loans for farmers impacted by severe drought during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 agricultural seasons. This measure follows the official recognition of the drought as a natural disaster in several regions, including Siliana, Le Kef, and Kasserine, as published in the Official Gazette on May 8, 2026. The BCT's note, issued on June 2, 2026, outlines the operational framework for banks to restructure debts for affected farmers, particularly those who received seasonal credits for major crops and suffered significant damage due to rainfall deficits. The drought caused substantial losses, with some areas experiencing up to 100% damage to sown areas. Farmers must present a certificate from the Regional Agricultural Development Commission CRDA detailing the damage. Loans can be restructured for up to seven years, with individual assessments based on repayment capacity and recorded losses. The scheme covers seasonal credits for major crops from the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, certain related investment credits, and some debts from the 2023-2024 campaign. However, farms in irrigated areas are not included. Applications must be submitted to banks by July 15, 2026. The initiative involves the National Guarantee Fund to cover part of the rescheduling costs, while banks will bear risks for certain agricultural credits not covered by the fund. This aims to mitigate the drought's impact on bank portfolios and prevent a broader d