Africa News

Kenya : Government suspends tobacco licences in crackdown on youth nicotine use

Kenya has suspended all licences for the manufacture, importation, sale and promotion of nicotine products, ordering vendors to reapply within 21 days under stricter conditions. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the directive during World No Tobacco Day on May 31, as 5.5 tonnes of seized tobacco-related products were destroyed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in...

Ghana: No Tobacco Day – MP urges ban on flavoured tobacco products

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, Joycelyn Quashie, has called for a total ban on flavoured tobacco and nicotine products as part of efforts to protect the youth by shielding them from targeted marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry. She explained that the tobacco industry, facing declining numbers in traditional markets, had...

Ghana: Beware of tobacco industry manipulators; devise strategies to protect the youth — North Dayi MP to gov’t

The Member of Parliament for the North Dayi Constituency, Hon. Joycelyn Quashie, has called on the Government of Ghana to take decisive action by developing policies and strategies aimed at shielding citizens from the deceptive practices of the tobacco industry. She urged the nation to position itself among countries that resist industry manipulation and...

NIGERIA: Increase Tobacco Control Fund for public health protection, NGOs urge FG

Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have called on the Federal Government to increase the Tobacco Control Fund (TCF) beyond the N13 million allocated to it in the national budget for 2025, in order to protect public health. The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation...

Tobacco-Free Farms Initiative in Kenya and Zambia

In March 2025, WHO and its partners held a virtual stakeholder consultation to review progress and share strategies for the Tobacco-Free Farms Initiative (TFF), implemented in Kenya and Zambia. This initiative aims to support smallholder farmers in transitioning from tobacco cultivation to sustainable alternative livelihoods that are healthier, more profitable, and environmentally friendly. Key achievements...

SOUTH AFRICA: Vaping hits alarming levels among South African teens – new study of fee-paying schools

BY: Sam Filby, Richard van Zyl Smit It’s become common to see kids, some in their school uniforms, puffing on a vape. The World Health Organization points to the enticing flavours and targeted marketing to young people as the key reasons behind this trend. In the US, e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school...

Kenya: New paper on illicit cigarette trade in Ghana

BY: Tobacco Tactics Tobacco Control Research Group members contributed to a recent paper exploring the illicit trade of cigarettes in Ghana, published in Tobacco Prevention & Cessation. The study looks at the size, nature, and drivers of Ghana’s illicit cigarette market, as well as at the government’s response to the problem. It also captures stakeholder’s perceptions of tobacco industry...

Kenya: Missing Millions – A cross-examination of British American Tobacco Kenya’s tax bill

BY: University of BATH New research indicates inconsistencies between the amount of cigarettes produced and the tax paid by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies Analysis by the Investigative Desk with support from the Tobacco Control Research Group and Tax Justice Network Africa, has identified significant discrepancies in the revenue statements of British American Tobacco’s...

Protect the world’s children: Don’t allow British American Tobacco to export kiddie packs of cigarettes to Sudan (Africa)

To: The Prime Minister, Government of Pakistan Protect the world’s children: Don’t allow British American Tobacco to export kiddie packs of cigarettes to Sudan (Africa) We, the undersigned, are public health advocates in countries across the African continent. Many of us have worked tirelessly for years to pass and implement laws that regulate tobacco products. As...

2024 Africa Tobacco Control Media Awards: Award Ceremony in Zambia and Burkina Faso

On the occasion of the celebration of the World No Tobacco Day, our members in Burkina Faso and Zambia honored the winners of the 2024 Africa Tobacco Control Media Awards. The Award ceremony in Ouagadougou on 4th June 2024 and Lusaka on 5th June 2024 celebrated excellence of the media professionals and their dedication...

Donate

$