Summary of Day 2 Proceedings at COP11, November 18, 2025, by ATIM Director Prof. Olalekan Ayo Yusuf

Day 2 unfolded with regional meetings, a series of insightful side events, and deliberations in Committees A and B. A key message emerging from the day – especially relevant for the African region, is the growing recognition that the major barriers to effective tobacco control are shifting. Tobacco industry interference and funding constraints, compounded by limited human resources and technical capacity, are increasingly undermining progress.

It was therefore disappointing to observe that, for the first time in two decades, the African region did not speak with one united voice, as it consistently did during the negotiations leading to the adoption of the WHO FCTC and throughout successive COP sessions. Some interventions echoed narratives that we have seen the tobacco industry advance across the region in recent years, particularly around so-called “harm reduction” and perceived threats to national sovereignty. This pattern became evident during discussions on Agenda Item 4.1, which proposes forward-looking measures (FLMs) consistent with Article 2.1 of the FCTC.

Although the FLMs were clearly introduced as optional tools that Parties may consider in line with their national context, some interpreted them – intentionally or otherwise – as mandatory. The African regional position statement, however, offered constructive guidance by proposing clarifications to the text rather than rejecting the recommendations outright. I remain hopeful that COP will reach consensus on this important agenda item, which simply expands the toolbox available to Parties as we enter the next phase of global tobacco control beyond the first 20 years of the WHO FCTC.

Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population and remains the only region where the tobacco epidemic is not yet fully mature. Daily smoking prevalence remains below 8% in most countries—a level many high-income nations are trying to return to through aggressive endgame and harm-reduction rhetoric. This presents a historic opportunity: if we act decisively, using both existing measures and any adopted FLMs, we can prevent the epidemic from taking hold. Central to this effort is strengthening implementation of Article 5.3 to safeguard public health policy from industry influence.

To achieve this, sustained investment in human capacity is essential. The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) stands ready to support Parties by expanding training and capacity-building programmes that equip national delegations and policymakers with the skills needed to detect, prevent, and counter industry interference. Strengthening such capacity is vital for empowering current and future delegations to engage confidently and effectively at subsequent COPs.

Stay tuned for more ATIM updates.