High-Level Meeting Held to Strengthen Tobacco Control in Sierra Leone
Aminata Koroma Tobacco use in Sierra Leone is linked to more than 3,300 deaths annually, costs the healthcare system approximately SLL 108 billion, and results in total economic losses of around SLL 404 billion, according to recent estimates.
The impact is most significant among low-income populations, while young people remain exposed to secondhand smoke and nicotine addiction.
In response, the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) and the Health for All Coalition held a meeting with the WHO Country Representative and team to discuss strategies to counter tobacco industry influence.
The discussion focused on blocking industry interference, strengthening evidence-based policies, and protecting children’s health. These measures align with Article 3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which aims to safeguard current and future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco use.
Speaking after the meeting, representatives emphasized their commitment to reducing tobacco exposure among young people. “Our children deserve a future free from nicotine addiction,” the partners stated.