ATIM trains Africa tobacco control advocates in Abidjan to strengthen capacity in industry monitoring for effective tobacco control policy advocacy

Tobacco remains a major cause of preventable death worldwide, with the burden of tobacco-related mortality increasingly falling on low- and middle-income countries, including those in the African region. Despite some progress in tracking tobacco industry activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a pressing need to protect tobacco control policy processes from Tobacco Industry Interference (TII). To address this, the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences has developed an online and in-person training program aimed at equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary to monitor and counter TII effectively.

From June 10-14, 2024, ATIM hosted a training session for tobacco control advocates in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, funded by a grant from the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). The event was organised in collaboration with the local Tobacco Control partner organisation, PNLT. Of the 200 participants who completed ATIM’s online course, “Building Capacity in Industry Monitoring for Effective Tobacco Control in Africa (BETA),” 20 were awarded competitive travel scholarships to attend the in-person skills training. These participants hailed from Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, and Zambia.

The training was facilitated by ATIM Director Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, along with regional and international experts from organisations such as Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), University of Bath, and the Africa Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA). Key topics included the implementation status of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Africa, techniques for conducting online industry secret document searches at the UCSF Legacy Tobacco Industry Document Library, advocating for tobacco taxes, using industry monitoring tools (including a mobile app developed by ATIM), legal perspectives on tobacco control, stakeholder/political mapping, and developing evidence-based policy advocacy plans.

This capacity-building initiative aligns with the faculty’s strategic goal of translating research for social impact beyond South Africa’s borders. The trained advocates and policymakers are now better equipped to counter industry interference and promote life-saving policies (SDG 3.a), which will not only prevent tobacco-related cancers but also improve the well-being of tobacco users who may quit the habit. This project also underscores the importance of transdisciplinary research in understanding the commercial determinants of health.

ATIM was formally recognised as a research entity at UP in 2023 after several years as a project funded by the ACBF. It hosts one of three industry monitoring observatories worldwide.

“We must equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to confront tobacco industry interference effectively. The training hosted by ATIM in Abidjan underscores our commitment to empowering advocates across the African region. Through collaborative efforts and strategic insights shared by global experts, we are forging a path towards stronger tobacco control policies that safeguard public health. Together, we can overcome the challenges posed by tobacco and ensure a healthier future for all,” said Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, Director of ATIM at UP.

The ATIM’s training marks a significant step in combating tobacco-related public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries in Africa. It emphasises the need for enhanced capacity building among stakeholders to monitor and counter tobacco industry interference, highlighting the importance of collective action and evidence-based policies in implementing the WHO FCTC.