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Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening tobacco control measures and protecting public health policies from tobacco industry interference during a high-level engagement held at the Africa Tobacco Interference Monitoring (ATIM) Training in Lagos, Nigeria, on 1 August 2026.
The meeting brought together the Honourable Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mr. Mohamed Rado Swaray, representatives of the Centre for Advocacy and Sustainable Empowerment (CASE Salone), Youth in Action for Development, Democracy and Human Rights (YADDHR-SL), and members of the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) team.
Discussions focused on the need for African countries to protect tobacco control policies from industry influence, particularly the implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Professor O. Ayo Yusuf, a tobacco control expert and facilitator of the ATIM Training, highlighted concerns over continued tobacco industry efforts to influence public health policies. He noted that the industry uses various strategies, including promoting illicit trade narratives and challenging evidence-based tobacco control measures such as tobacco taxation, advertising restrictions and stronger regulatory frameworks.
Responding to the concerns, Minister Swaray reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing tobacco control efforts. He highlighted the enactment of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act, 2022, while acknowledging that enforcement challenges remain.
The Minister said Sierra Leone continues to make progress in implementing the law and pledged to engage Cabinet and relevant government institutions to strengthen its enforcement.
He also commended Mr. Ibrahim Mansaray of CASE Salone and Mr. Alhaji Yaya Swaray of YADDHR-SL for representing Sierra Leone at the continental training and for their continued efforts in promoting tobacco control and protecting public health.
The Minister further expressed Sierra Leone’s readiness to collaborate with the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) and other partners to prevent tobacco industry interference and strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment among government representatives, civil society organisations and regional partners to intensify collaboration in safeguarding public health policies and promoting a healthier future for Sierra Leone.
