Addis Ababa –World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the WHO Ethiopia country office, concluded a three-day meeting focused on sustainable financing mechanisms for tobacco control.

Held from 10 to 12 June 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the meeting gathered representatives from various member states to discuss innovative ways to finance tobacco control policies.

The meeting aimed at providing a platform for countries with established mechanisms for generating sustainable funds, dedicating those funds towards strengthened implementation and enforcement of tobacco control measures and explore new opportunities. Participants included relevant ministries, stakeholders and experts who engaged in discussions about both fiscal and non-fiscal measures to secure domestic resources for tobacco control.

During the meeting, various funding mechanisms were explored, including environmental taxes, extended producer responsibility, solatium funds (levying fees on the industry based on market share), tobacco vendor licensing, and other innovative approaches such as impact investment and social impact bonds.

The experience-sharing event highlighted the policy gaps, challenges, and opportunities specific to the participating countries. It also focused on developing action plans for at least one proposed measure for sustainable financing, with guidance and support from subject matter experts.

Speaking on behalf of WHO Ethiopia, Dr Bejoy Nambiar, WHO Ethiopia’s Health Policy Advisor emphasized the critical need for sustainable funding. "Reducing tobacco consumption not only yields long-term savings in public health expenditures but also necessitates substantial governmental investment and budgetary allocation to support national tobacco control programmes,” says Dr Nambiar.

Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge globally, responsible for over 8.7 million deaths each year, including more than 1.3 million from second-hand smoke exposure. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, various cancers and other debilitating health conditions. Additionally, tobacco production and consumption harm the environment, contributing to deforestation, water contamination and greenhouse gas emissions.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the MPOWER technical package provide a strong framework for combating the global tobacco epidemic. The MPOWER measures, which include smoke-free public places, large graphic health warnings, bans on tobacco advertising, and increased taxes on tobacco products, have significantly expanded global protection against tobacco use.

Opening the meeting, Dr Vinayak M. Prasad, Unit Head, No Tobacco Unit, WHO HQ, said, “Despite this progress, many countries struggle to fully implement tobacco control policies, often due to persistent interference from the tobacco industry and a lack of long-term funding strategies.” The event underscored the need for dedicated, sustained funding to achieve long-term goals and reduce tobacco use effectively.

The African, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific regions face unique challenges, with population growth preventing reductions in the absolute number of tobacco users. These regions are projected to add 8 million more tobacco users by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for accelerated implementation of tobacco control policies.

Sustainable financing for tobacco control remains a critical priority, competing with other governmental needs. Several member states in the WHO Africa region have utilized tobacco tax revenue to fund health initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to the WHO FCTC. However, the need for sustained and innovative financing solutions is essential to fully implement effective tobacco control measures and combat the tobacco industry's targeting of this region.

The stakeholder engagement meeting in Addis Ababa marked a significant step towards securing sustainable funding for tobacco control. The exchange of experiences and innovative ideas among member states and experts is expected to pave the way for stronger implementation and enforcement of tobacco control measures, ultimately reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths globally.