APO Group - Africa Newsroom / Press Release

Source: Ministry of Information, Eritrea | Jun 15, 2025

National Tobacco Control Conference Held in Asmara

Participants held extensive discussions on the presented issues and adopted several recommendations

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with its partners, organized a National Tobacco Control Conference on 13 June at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers Hall under the theme “Unmasking the Appeal – Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.” Dr. Andebrhan Tesfatsion, Acting Director General of Public Health,…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) - Mauritius | May 19, 2025

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General recognizes Mauritius unwavering efforts to control tobacco

Mauritius has demonstrated sustained leadership since 2003, supporting the establishment of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)

Today, the World Health Organization proudly celebrates Mauritius for its relentless and resolute commitments to tobacco control. The country is being recognized with the prestigious WHO Director General Special Recognition Award as part of World No-Tobacco Day 2025. On this Monday 19 May 2025, at the very onset of the…

Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament | Feb 03, 2025

Media Statement: Health Committee Concludes Provincial Public Hearings on Tobacco Bill

Supporters argued that the prevalence of products, such as hookah pipes and vapes, are increasingly enticing young people and exposing them to harm

The Portfolio Committee on Health has concluded provincial public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022) in Geroge, where it received mixed views on the Bill. The extensive public participation process has demonstrated the value of the involvement of the people in the law-making process.…

Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament | Nov 06, 2024

Media Statement: Statement by Health Committee Chairperson and National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on Consultation on Tobacco Bill

The Chairperson appreciated the commitment exhibited by NEDLAC to consultation and is of the view that it embodies the founding values of consultation enshrined in our Constitution and the NEDLAC Act

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and Ms Lisa Seftel, the Executive Director of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) have endorsed a consultation process between NEDLAC and the Department of Health on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022).…

Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament | Nov 04, 2024

Media Statement: Upington Residents Say Tobacco Bill Is Based on International Best Practice on Tobacco Regulation

Those supporting the Bill argued that vapes have inherent harmful products that are not clearly set out that might be harmful to consumers

The Portfolio Committee on Health has concluded three successful public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill (B33-2022) in the Northern Cape province. The committee is satisfied that contributions made by residents of the Northern Cape were insightful and will ensure consideration of broader perspectives by…

Source: Republic of South Africa: The Parliament | Feb 12, 2024

Cape Winelands and City of Cape Town Residents say Yes and No to the Tobacco Bill

Those who supported the Bill based their support largely on health grounds, citing available statistics on smoke-related deaths

Various groups of people from the Cape Winelands District and the City of Cape Town, including academics specialising in issues around health, healthcare consultants, workers and representatives from health and tobacco trading and farmers’ associations shared their support or rejection of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) - Malawi | Nov 16, 2023

Malawi ‘s ratification of World Health Organization's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control comes into effect

The Convention, which Malawi ratified in August 2023, is a crucial international treaty designed to address the severe public health risks associated with tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke

Today the Government of Malawi’s ratification of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) came into effect. With this historic decision, Malawi joins a community of 182 other Parties to the Convention, affirming the country’s high-level political commitment to combatting the global tobacco epidemic and prioritizing…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 26, 2023

Ban smoking and vaping in school to protect young people

WHO encourages all countries to make all indoor public places completely smoke-free in line with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Today, the World Health Organization released two new publications, “Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools,” and “Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit” to help protect children’s health just in time for back-to-school season in many countries. The tobacco industry relentlessly targets young people with tobacco and nicotine products resulting in e-cigarette…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) - Namibia | Sep 25, 2023

Namibia strengthens tobacco control

The participants were from various sectors, including different government departments, including law enforcement

The Ministry of Health and Social Services with support from WHO conducted a five-day tobacco training workshop to strengthen tobacco control measures in the country. The workshop that started on 11 September 2023 at Rundu in the Kavango East region also aimed at strengthening participants’ knowledge, skills and competencies…

Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa | Jul 31, 2023

Mauritius is first in Africa to adopt WHO full-scale tobacco control measures

The African region is expected to be home to more than 50 million smokers by 2025 unless more is done urgently to halt the tobacco epidemic

Mauritius has become the first African country to fully implement the entire World Health Organization’s (WHO) package of tobacco control measures aimed at reducing tobacco use and reducing related deaths. The WHO tobacco control package, called MPOWER Package, is a set of six measures to help countries monitor tobacco use…

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