France, July 18 -- Getting homes in Africa to stop burning wood, charcoal or dung to feed fires for cooking and use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), bioethanol and biogas could prevent 4.7 million premature deaths between now and 2040, according to a report published on Friday by theInternational Energy Agency (IEA).

One billion Africans are making their meals on open fires or with fuels that are jeopardising their health due to the pollution given off by the smoke.

Lifestyles are compromised too, saysthe report Universal Access to Clean Cooking in Africa,

Gathering fuel for cooking

Across the continentwomen and girls spend on average four hours a day gathering fuel and cooking.

It often means missing out on school lessons or jobs. The...