The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on member states, parliamentarians, regulators, civil society, educators, parents, and young people across Africa to unite against the deceptive tactics of the tobacco and nicotine industry.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohammed Janabi, made this appeal in his message on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026.
World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31,, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and the industry’s strategies to promote addiction. It brings together governments, health organizations, civil society, and youth worldwide.
“Together, we must safeguard the health of the next generation, preserve the progress made in tobacco control, and ensure a future where Africa’s children and young people can grow, learn, and thrive free from addiction.
The time to act is now,” he said.
Janabi emphasized the importance of protecting public health policies from tobacco industry interference.
He pointed out that the industry continues to lobby, take legal actions, fund front groups, and run misleading corporate social responsibility campaigns.
“It spreads misinformation and often claims to be a partner in public health or a champion of ‘harm reduction’. These tactics aim to delay, weaken, or derail effective regulation.
We must be clear: the industry that engineered addiction and profited from it for decades cannot influence public health solutions.
Policies must be based on independent, transparent, and evidence-based science, in full compliance with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires governments to protect health policies from tobacco industry interference,” he stated.
He stressed that protecting Africa’s children and young people from nicotine addiction is a moral, social, and public health imperative.
Prevention is easier, more effective, and more equitable than treatment, and is vital to sustaining the region’s development gains.
Janabi urged African countries to strengthen and enforce regulations that reduce the addictiveness, attractiveness, and accessibility of tobacco and nicotine products, especially for youth.
This includes banning flavors and additives like menthol, sweeteners, acids, and synthetic coolants that enhance appeal and facilitate inhalation.
He also called for closing regulatory loopholes that allow the industry to evade laws by introducing new nicotine-like products and substances, and for stricter regulation of product design, packaging, and marketing to prevent targeting and deception of young people.
“As part of a comprehensive strategy, countries should consider reducing nicotine content to non-addictive levels, in line with WHO recommendations, to lessen product addictiveness and protect youth,” he added.
Janabi urged governments to respond with decisive, evidence-based actions.
He highlighted that Africa has made significant progress in tobacco control over the past two decades, with many countries ratifying and implementing key provisions of the WHO Framework Convention, enacting comprehensive laws, establishing smoke-free environments, introducing pictorial warnings, increasing taxes, and expanding cessation support.
“Tobacco use remains among the lowest globally in the region, and some countries are on track to meet global reduction targets.
These successes demonstrate that effective policies and strong government leadership can save lives and reduce health disparities.
However, these gains are increasingly threatened by new and sophisticated tobacco and nicotine products,” he warned.
