2nd Africa Conference on Tobacco Control and Development: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

The 2nd Africa Conference on Tobacco Control and Development was held in Accra, Ghana, on 13 – 14 November 2024, under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Advancing the Tobacco Control Ecosystem in Africa.” The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and advocates to tackle the critical challenges of tobacco use across the continent. Dr. Darius Osei, Technical Advisor to Ghana’s Minister for Health, emphasized the crucial role of finance ministries in reducing tobacco use, especially among youth. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to supporting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) tobacco control initiatives. Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat, highlighted the harmful impact of tobacco on sustainable development, health systems, and poverty reduction. She emphasized the essential link between tobacco control and achieving broader socio-economic goals. Mr. Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of ACBF, called for amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, including youth and women, and tackling challenges associated with emerging tobacco products. The event served as a platform for collaboration, sharing best practices, and advancing Africa’s collective efforts to reduce tobacco use, improve public health, and build resilient communities. (https://elibrary.acbfpact.org/acbf/collect/acbf/index/assoc/HASH016d/6a385c9d/6a4ef2b2/6834.dir/Communique%20tobacco%202024.pdf)