The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged African countries to unite against what it described as the “deceptive tactics” of the tobacco and nicotine industry, warning that aggressive marketing and industry interference threaten decades of public health progress across the continent.

The call was made by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohammed Janabi, in a message marking the 2026 World No Tobacco Day commemorated on May 31.

WHO Raises Alarm Over Youth Nicotine Addiction

According to Janabi, Africa’s children and young people are increasingly being targeted by tobacco and nicotine companies through attractive product designs, misleading advertising, flavoured nicotine products, and so-called “harm reduction” campaigns.

He warned that the industry continues to deploy sophisticated tactics aimed at weakening regulations and influencing public health policies.

“The industry that engineered the addiction and profited from it for decades cannot be permitted to influence public health solutions,” Janabi said.

He accused tobacco companies of lobbying governments, funding front groups, spreading misinformation, and using corporate social responsibility campaigns to improve their public image while continuing to market addictive products.

WHO Calls for Tougher Tobacco Regulations

The WHO urged African governments to adopt stronger, evidence-based regulations to reduce the appeal and accessibility of tobacco and nicotine products, especially among young people.

Recommended measures include:

• Banning flavours and additives such as menthol and sweeteners
• Closing loopholes around emerging nicotine products
• Tightening packaging and advertising regulations
• Reducing nicotine levels to non-addictive standards
• Protecting public health policy from industry interference under Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Janabi stressed that preventing addiction is easier and more cost-effective than treating long-term health complications caused by tobacco use.

Africa’s Tobacco Control Gains Under Threat

Despite progress in tobacco control across Africa, WHO warned that new nicotine products and aggressive industry expansion strategies could reverse achievements made over the past two decades.

According to the organisation, many African countries have:

• Ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
• Increased tobacco taxes
• Introduced smoke-free laws
• Expanded access to smoking cessation support
• Adopted graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging

WHO noted that tobacco use rates in Africa remain among the lowest globally, but warned that multinational tobacco companies are increasingly targeting African markets because of the continent’s youthful population.

Why This Matters

Health experts say Africa is becoming a critical battleground for the global tobacco industry as regulations tighten in many Western countries.

With a rapidly growing youth population and increasing access to digital advertising, public health advocates fear nicotine addiction could rise sharply if governments fail to strengthen enforcement and regulation.

WHO’s latest warning comes amid growing concerns over the popularity of vaping devices, flavoured nicotine products, and emerging alternatives marketed toward young consumers across Africa.