Côte d’Ivoire faces a significant tobacco-related health crisis, with over 9,000 deaths annually. In response, the government adopted Decree No. 2022-75 to enforce plain packaging and stronger health warnings on tobacco products, in line with WHO FCTC guidelines.

Implementation of the decree has been delayed due to persistent interference from the tobacco industry, which cites technical and financial constraints. Despite multiple extensions, the industry requested another delay beyond the current August 31, 2025 deadline.

During a meeting on July 23, 2025, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to the deadline, refusing further postponements.

Civil Society Action:
Supported by ATCA, two members in Cote d’Ivoire; Comité/Club Universitaire Unesco pour la Lutte Contre la Drogue (CLUCOD), and Réseau des ONG Actives pour le Contrôle du Tabac en Côte d’Ivoire (ROCTA-CI)  organized a press conference on July 30, 2025, at CLUCOD headquarters. They used the press conference to support the government’s stance, denounce tobacco industry interference, and mobilize media and civil society to ensure enforcement.

The press conference laid emphasis on the fact that plain packaging is proven to reduce tobacco appeal, especially among youth, and all efforts by the tobacco industry to further delay implementation of the policy must be resisted.

Journalists raised concerns about civil society’s capacity to confront powerful tobacco multinationals and asked about post-deadline actions if the decree isn’t enforced. In response, civil society representatives reemphasized their commitment to supporting enforcement of the policy and public health in general.

CLUCOD and ROCTA-CI reaffirmed their support for the government and called on the tobacco industry to act responsibly.