Sierra Leone
Championing the enforcement of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act of 2022 — protecting communities from tobacco harm through youth-led advocacy.
Contextual Brief on Tobacco Control
Tobacco stands as the foremost cause of premature deaths and preventable diseases globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half of all long-term smokers face a spectrum of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. In Sierra Leone, an estimated 640,000 individuals use tobacco, with smoking prevalence rising, particularly among men and youth.
The Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey indicates that approximately 18% of men and 3% of women aged 15–49 are tobacco users, with smoking prevalence escalating among the youth. The Global Youth Survey of 2017 reveals that 12.1% of students — 14.5% of boys and 9.7% of girls — use tobacco products.
The country records 3,300 tobacco-related deaths annually, contributing to a loss of 404 billion Leones, 73% of which results from economic productivity decline.
Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act Enacted
Sierra Leone, a signatory to the WHO FCTC since 2009, took a pivotal step by enacting this comprehensive law on August 3, 2022, regulating the production, importation, packaging, advertising, and use of tobacco and nicotine products, aligning with the WHO FCTC provisions. The Act was signed into law in April 2023, prohibiting smoking in public places and all tobacco and nicotine product advertisements. Sierra Leone is now among the latest 38 countries in the WHO African region to fully protect its population against tobacco and nicotine harm.
World No Tobacco Day 2023
On May 31, 2023, Sierra Leone joined the global celebration of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) alongside WHO and public health advocates. Aligned with the theme "Grow food, not tobacco," the 2023 campaign sought to spotlight alternative crop opportunities for tobacco farmers, promoting sustainable and nutritious cultivation. The global initiative also aimed to expose the tobacco industry's attempts to obstruct efforts to replace tobacco with sustainable crops, addressing the worldwide food crisis.
Leveraging the recent signing of the Tobacco and Nicotine Act of 2022, activities focused on publicizing the bill, raising awareness, and sensitizing the public through community engagement, media interactions, and participation in the World No Tobacco Day symposium organized by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
Through community engagements in Makeni and Freetown — including visits to marketplaces, bus stations, and ataya bases — the coalition facilitated dialogue sessions, discussed the Tobacco Control Act's provisions, and provided information on accessing the legislation.
Targeting diverse groups such as Okada riders, drivers, market sellers, and young people in Ataya bases, the coalition effectively raised awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and distributed tobacco factsheets to further enhance understanding.
The coalition collaborated with various media outlets, including Hope FM in Makeni, YACAN, Afri Radio, AYV television, and Radio Freetown. Radio and television programs reached 1,000–2,000 individuals, disseminating key tobacco control messages.
In a significant stride towards effective implementation, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sierra Leone Police. This strategic partnership underscores their joint commitment to enforcing the provisions outlined in the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act of 2022, ensuring a unified approach to advancing tobacco control measures and safeguarding public health in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone Coalition Organizations
The Y-ACT Coalition for Tobacco Control in Sierra Leone is a strategic alliance comprising 10 youth-led organizations, with GYNED acting as sub-grantee leading the coalition. Established as part of the Y-ACT implementation approach to ensure coordinated advocacy, this initiative is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Click on any coalition logo to learn more.
