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World No Tobacco Day, celebrated on May 31, spotlights the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products consumption. This day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility shared in protecting public health.
The 2025 theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” draws attention to how the tobacco and nicotine industries craft their products and messaging to appear harmless while recruiting a new generation of users and downplaying the devastating health consequences.
Under TJNA’s tax and health pillar, our Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa (TTAA) work seeks to empower civil society and governments to adopt pro-health tax policies that make tobacco and nicotine products less accessible and lower overall consumption. Under this work, TJNA through the African Tobacco Tax Consortium, a collaborative platform hosted by TJNA bringing together organisations with expertise in tobacco tax policy and are working to implement fair tobacco tax policies in Africa, pushes for strong tobacco taxation policy reforms across the continent to curb harmful practices and reduce youth tobacco and nicotine use.
In commemoration of this day, TJNA’s Senior Policy Officer, Chileshe Mange, highlights the urgent need for stronger tobacco taxation policies across the continent.
"On 2025 World No Tobacco Day, we stand firm in our mission to expose the true cost of tobacco, not just in lives, but in lost productivity, evaded taxes, and rising healthcare burdens. Strengthening tobacco tax policy is not just good for economics but a public health imperative. It is time to stop treating tobacco multinationals as stakeholders and start holding them accountable."
This World No Tobacco Day, TJNA calls on key actions for progressive tobacco taxation and transparent public policy: strengthening tobacco and nicotine tax laws, channeling funds from tobacco tax towards health financing, investing in public education campaigns, and upholding transparency and accountability.
TJNA, together with its partners, is committed to driving lasting change and creating a future where integrity and fairness lead to Africa’s growth.
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Missing millions report: A cross-examination of British American Tobacco Kenya’s tax bill
For more information about the African Tobacco Tax Consortium, please contact Chileshe Mange at cmange[ @] taxjusticeafrica.net