AFRICA
The Africa Region Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called upon its member states to include tobacco control in their national policies, plans and SDG implementation frameworks as a way of reducing tobacco-related diseases.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional office director for Africa, has asked countries to fully implement WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco (WHO FCTC), including raising tobacco taxes to reduce its demand.
WHO stated that the revenue generated for governments can be used to finance universal health coverage, health promotion, as well as other development programs.
Monti also said that tobacco control can break the cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth and combat climate change. “Let us all support tobacco control to save lives, uplift development and reduce health inequalities,” he said.