Zimbabwe stands at a critical crossroads in its public health journey. As Africa’s largest tobacco producer and a long-standing Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the country faces a stark contradiction: economic policies continue to elevate tobacco production, while tobacco control remains sidelined in national health frameworks.

A 2025 shadow report reviewing Zimbabwe’s FCTC implementation, developed by Youth Against Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, an ATCA member in Zimbabwe, reveals deep and persistent gaps. Despite the launch of the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan (2024–2030), tobacco control is conspicuously absent from its scope. This omission reflects a broader trend—where tobacco is treated as an economic asset rather than a public health threat.

The report highlights systemic weaknesses across nearly every pillar of tobacco control:

• Outdated legislation and weak enforcement mechanisms
• Inadequate taxation policies that fail to reduce affordability or fund health promotion
• Limited smoke-free protections and poor compliance monitoring
• Absence of cessation services and lack of provider training
• No pictorial health warnings or plain packaging regulations
• Continued tobacco advertising and industry interference
• Poor surveillance systems and lack of national tobacco use data

These gaps not only undermine Zimbabwe’s FCTC obligations, they jeopardize the health and wellbeing of its citizens, especially youth and vulnerable communities. The country’s development strategy, which targets increased tobacco production, directly conflicts with its stated goals to combat substance abuse and promote public health.

In a promising shift, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health has formally acknowledged the findings of the 2025 shadow report and expressed strong commitment to advancing tobacco control. This includes mobilizing resources and establishing dedicated Technical Working Groups to drive implementation of FCTC obligations.

This response marks a critical step forward. It signals political will, institutional recognition, and a readiness to move from policy gaps to concrete action. By convening Technical Working Groups, Zimbabwe lays the groundwork for multisectoral collaboration, accountability, and sustained progress; essential ingredients for effective tobacco control.

ATCA welcomes this development as a powerful affirmation of Zimbabwe’s potential to lead with integrity and purpose. It reflects the growing momentum across Africa to prioritize health over profit, and to build resilient, people-centered systems that protect future generations.

Download the Shadow Report