World Health Organization warns Yemen of dangers of Qat consumption

Qat consumption mainly affects poor families and can consume up to a third of their budget.

News reports warn of increasing problems among Yemeni’s associated with the chewing of Qat. The World Health Organization’s report warns of both health and social hazards for the people of Yemen because of their consumption of the plant. 

According to the al-Afif Cultural Foundation, it is estimated that about 70 to 80 percent of Yemenis between the ages of 16 and 50 years have chewed Qat on at least one occasion. It has also been estimated that Yemenis spend about 14.6 million man-hours a day chewing Qat. This wasted time could be used in more productive ways, such as engaging in work, extracurricular activities, studying or exercising.   

The report, published on the WHO’s website, indicates that nearly 90 percent of adult males chew Qat daily for three to four hours, and that more than 50 percent of females engage in this serious habit. 

According to WHO reports, Qat production seriously damages the already weak Yemeni economy. Many farmers replace coffee and other useful crops with Qat trees as they yield far larger profits. More than 90,000 Qat trees were planted on Yemeni farms during the 30 years from 1970 to 2000, the report said. It is also found that about 60 percent of areas that could be used to grow cash crops are being used to cultivate Qat, which consumes huge quantities of Yemen’s already limited underground water.

It is estimated that 40 percent of the country’s water supply is used to irrigate Qat crops, and production increases by 10 to 15 percent every year. Water consumption is so high that groundwater levels in the Sana’a basin are diminishing, and the reservoir is expected to run dry in just over 10 years.  

Yet, the still popular chewing of Qat provides an important forum for debate and dialogue in Yemen. Nearly every Yemeni chews, even old age and the lack of teeth fails to stop some. Qat’s popularity in Yemen has led to its excessive cultivation, depleting the country’s agricultural resources  Discussions recently held in the WHO’s office for the Middle East have found a possible solution for controlling the use of Qat. The discussions suggested forbidding Qat sellers from selling it to children, and limiting its sale to adults only during certain hours of the day. However, they concluded that this may be an ineffective solution to reducing Qat consumption as it may lead people to use other dangerous drugs rather than chewing Qat. 

The report does not consider Qat an addictive substance; however that does not preclude health hazards resulting from excessive consumption of the plant.

According to some research, Qat can induce mild euphoria, and although this side effect may be considered positive as it stimulates conversation, there are many negative effects. This euphoria is often followed by mild depression, and these sudden highs and lows can be classified as manic. Further psychological consequences include hallucinations and nightmares.   

Qat consumption may also cause a loss of appetite, constipation, withdrawal symptoms, slight tremors and decreased libido. Research indicates that Qat can cause ulceration of the gums and gastrointestinal tract, as wells as permanent tooth discoloration. Long term use can also precipitate renal and liver disease. Finally, many of the pesticides used to protect Qat leaves from insects and other pests are not regulated. As a result, excessive and improper usage has been associated with many types of cancers in Qat chewers, including oral, gastrointestinal, liver, renal and bladder cancers to name a few. 

Ideally, sustainable agriculture means cultivating in ways that provide a fair return for farmers work while at the same time protecting or improving soil, water, and crop genetics for the use of future generations. It also means that local people and their communities are in control, that farming is based on cultural values, and benefits the community’s inhabitants economically, nutritionally and socially.  However, this will be difficult to achieve if Qat continues to generate larger returns for farmers than growing fruits, vegetables and grains.   The report concludes that to change the present situation, public awareness about the problem must be raised, and the most vulnerable groups in Yemeni society such as women and children need to be made aware of the dangers of chewing Qat. Over time, such measures may help create a stigma concerning the use of Qat, much like that which has developed over cigarette use in many developed countries.

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