The 2nd Conference on Tobacco Control and Development has been held under the theme: “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Advancing the Tobacco Control Ecosystem in Africa.”
The conference drew African leaders, health experts, and policymakers to discuss ways to protect Africa’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco and promote public health across the continent.
Dr. Darius Osei, Technical Advisor to Ghana’s Minister of Health, delivered a keynote speech on behalf of Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, emphasizing the scale of the crisis: tobacco claims over 8.7 million lives globally each year.
“Africa’s youth are in the crosshairs of aggressive tobacco marketing,” he said, noting that 65% of Africa’s population is under 30, and young people are increasingly targeted by the industry.
Highlighting Ghana’s commitment, he praised measures such as the Public Health Act and the recent Excise Duty Amendment Bill, which enhanced tobacco taxation to curb consumption. “Ghana has ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and we are steadfast in our resolve to protect future generations,” he added.
Mr. Mamadou Biteye, Conference Chair and Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation, reinforced this message, calling tobacco control “a development imperative.”
He warned that without decisive action, Africa’s smoking population could surge, with devastating consequences for public health and economic stability.
Biteye commended efforts by Ghana’s Ministry of Health and partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, emphasizing the need for a united front across the continent.
Representing Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa, Dr. Adelhi commended the African Capacity Building Foundation and the conference organizers, highlighting the critical role of collective efforts in advancing tobacco control.
“Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of over eight million preventable deaths annually worldwide,” Dr. Onyiabo stated.
“In Africa alone, we face nearly 250,000 tobacco-related deaths every year—deaths that are entirely preventable.” He stressed the growing toll on Africa’s healthcare systems, as tobacco-related diseases such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular conditions strain resources and impact economies.
Recent data shows progress in Africa’s tobacco control efforts. The prevalence of tobacco use in the region has declined from 18% in 2000 to 9.5% in 2022 and is projected to further decrease to 8.9% by 2025. However, due to rapid population growth, the absolute number of tobacco users continues to climb, rising from 58 million in 2010 to 61 million in 2020, with projections indicating 62 million by 2025.
Dr. Onyiabo attributed the rise in numbers to aggressive marketing by tobacco companies, which have increasingly targeted Africa’s young population. “The tobacco industry has intensified its marketing, introducing new forms of nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco,” he said, cautioning that these products pose a growing threat to African youth.
He emphasized the need for proactive surveillance, research, and policies to address these new trends and praised countries adopting regulations in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, Dr. Onyiabo noted that more enforcement is needed, particularly on advertising bans, warning labels, smoke-free public spaces, and tax increases on tobacco products.
“Effective tobacco control requires a whole-of-government approach,” Dr. Onyiabo insisted, highlighting the importance of collaboration across ministries, civil society, the private sector, and youth-focused organizations. He called for youth engagement through youth-led advocacy and educational campaigns, describing young Africans as “the future” and emphasizing their role in building a tobacco-free generation.
In his remarks, Dr. Onyiabo also condemned the tobacco industry’s interference in public health policies. “The industry continues to use lobbying and misinformation to weaken health regulations,” he said, urging African nations to enforce FCTC Article 5.3, which aims to protect public health policies from tobacco industry influence.
Dr. Onyiabo concluded with a call to action, stating, “The time for action is now. The future of Africa’s health and economic prosperity depends on our collective ability to tackle tobacco use.” He reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting African nations in policy development, advocacy, research, and implementation, stressing the importance of unified regional strategies.
As conference participants prepared for discussions and workshops, Dr. Onyiabo’s message resonated—a call for a healthier, tobacco-free future for Africa built on sustainable collaboration and unwavering commitment to public health.
At the 2nd Conference on Tobacco Control and Development, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Ghana, called for stronger measures to combat rising tobacco use among African youth, largely driven by aggressive marketing from multinational tobacco companies. He emphasized that these tactics, combined with peer influence, threaten both public health and sustainable development.
Amb. Gana highlighted the severe economic implications of tobacco use, noting that while it generates short-term revenue, it results in long-term costs through increased healthcare needs and lost productivity. He argued that by investing in tobacco control, countries could reallocate resources to more sustainable, health-promoting initiatives.
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The Ambassador urged participants to fortify national policies under the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which offers a comprehensive framework to reduce tobacco use. He announced that ECOWAS aligns with this framework, actively supporting both national and regional initiatives to curb tobacco’s impact in the sub-region.
“Countries that have implemented robust tobacco control measures have seen significant reductions in smoking rates, demonstrating the positive change these policies can create,” Amb. Gana said. He further stressed the importance of educational campaigns and smoke-free environments, which play a critical role in changing public attitudes toward tobacco.
He underscored that tobacco control is a central objective of ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both aiming to foster a healthier future free from the burdens of tobacco. In conclusion, Amb. Gana called for continued partnership and steadfast commitment to ECOWAS’s Joint Action Plan, affirming, “Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Africa.”
The conference also saw backing from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and other partners, committed to reducing the social, economic, and environmental costs associated with tobacco use across Africa.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/capitalnewsonline.com
