Sierra Leone commemorated World No Tobacco Day 2013 on 31 May 2013 on the theme: “Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship”. The Day is commemorated every year in Sierra Leone and countries around the world as opportunity for health authorities to inform all sectors of their populations of the dangers particularly the devastating health consequences associated with the use of tobacco products. The theme for this year’s commemoration is a call on countries to put a stop to all forms of promotion of tobacco.
Sierra Leone marked the commemoration with the launch of a 5 year Na-tional Tobacco Control Strategic Plan (2012-2016) as an important milestone for a more robust action by partners on tobacco control in the country.
The Plan will also serve as an appropriate tool to guide the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Sierra Leone. The Plan is in line with the National Health Policy on combating non-communicable diseases. Recent surveys have indicated an increase in the prevalence of tobacco use particularly among the youths, indicating a foreseeable tobacco epidemic. Full implementation of the provisions of the Strategic Plan is critical in forestalling the growing tobacco trend in the country.

The occasion was graced by the deputy Minister-II of Health and Sanitation Mr Foday Sawi. Other dignitaries included the Deputy Minister of Youths, officials of line ministries, representatives of the House of Parliament, civil society groups, the mass media, UN, NGOs and other partners. While launching the occasion and the Strategic Plan, Mr Sawi stated that being a signatory to the WHO FCTC is not enough, “we must work the talk”, he added. He assured the gathering that the Ministry of Health will continue “its robust campaign to reduce the demand and supply of tobacco in Sierra Leone” and that a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising remains the focus of the Ministry. He further urged all partners to support the fight against tobacco. “No effort, no action is too small”, he concluded.

Other speakers at the function included representatives from the Civil Society, NGO, line ministries among others, who also pledged their commitment to ensure a comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Plan and all efforts towards the reduction of tobacco importation, production and consumption in Sierra Leone.

The strategic plan was developed with financial support and technical guidance of the World Health Organization. WHO is strongly supporting other tobacco control interventions in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone Launches National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan on World No Tobacco Day 2013

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