The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged African countries to strengthen collective action against tobacco and nicotine use, warning that the industry is using “deceptive tactics” to target young people and undermine public health regulations.
In a message marking World No Tobacco Day 2026, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohammed Janabi, called on governments, lawmakers, civil society groups and young people to unite in safeguarding health policies from industry interference.
He warned that tobacco companies continue to deploy lobbying, litigation, front groups and marketing campaigns under the guise of corporate social responsibility to weaken regulation and delay effective control measures.
“We must be clear: the industry that engineered the addiction and profited from it for decades cannot be permitted to influence public health solutions,” Janabi said.
He stressed that public health policies must remain independent, transparent and grounded in scientific evidence, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires governments to protect health policy from tobacco industry interference.
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The WHO regional office said protecting children and young people from nicotine addiction is a “moral, social and public health imperative,” noting that prevention is more effective and equitable than treatment.
The organisation urged African governments to strengthen enforcement of tobacco control regulations, particularly those aimed at reducing the appeal and accessibility of nicotine products to young people.
Recommended measures include banning flavour additives such as menthol and sweeteners, tightening rules on packaging and marketing, and closing loopholes that allow manufacturers to introduce new nicotine-based products designed to bypass existing laws.
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The WHO also encouraged countries to consider reducing nicotine content in tobacco products to non-addictive levels, in line with its scientific recommendations.
Dr Janabi said that despite ongoing threats, Africa has made significant progress in tobacco control over the past two decades.
Many countries have adopted comprehensive legislation, increased tobacco taxation, expanded smoke-free environments and introduced graphic health warnings on packaging.
The region also maintains one of the lowest tobacco use prevalence rates globally, with several countries on track to meet international reduction targets.
“These achievements show clearly that effective policies and determined government leadership can protect public health, save lives and reduce health inequities,” he said.
However, he warned that these gains are increasingly at risk due to the emergence of new nicotine products and more sophisticated marketing strategies by the tobacco industry.
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The WHO said the annual World No Tobacco Day, observed on May 31, serves as a global platform to raise awareness of tobacco-related health risks and the strategies used by the industry to promote addiction.
Health experts say Africa’s relatively low smoking rates present an opportunity for governments to prevent a long-term public health burden, particularly among young populations who are increasingly targeted by alternative nicotine products such as vapes and flavoured tobacco.
The call comes as African governments face growing pressure to balance public health priorities with regulatory enforcement challenges and cross-border marketing of nicotine products.
