Fight Against Tobacco: Cameroon Bolsters Defences Against Industry Lobbying

On May 26, 2026, in Yaoundé, the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) and the Cameroon Coalition Against Tobacco (C3T) held a high-level strategic workshop. The event aimed to train top government officials on countering tobacco industry lobbying and served as the official kickoff for World No Tobacco Day 2026, themed locally as: "Unmasking the appeal, fighting nicotine and tobacco addiction." A primary focus of the workshop was building the capacity of the country’s Multi-sectoral Tobacco Control Commission. Organizers emphasized the strict enforcement of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which establishes the primacy of public health over industrial profits. The workshop also saw the release of the 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Report for Cameroon. Mrs. Judith Noël Chekumo, Executive Secretary of C3T, revealed a positive trend: Cameroon’s interference score dropped to 76, down from 81 in 2023. While a lower score indicates improved resistance to corporate meddling, experts warn that progress remains fragile. Dr. Joro Taka Colette, Permanent Secretary of the National Committee for the Fight Against Drugs, noted that despite advancements, systematic industrial lobbying continues to compromise the legal framework. The report highlights that tobacco companies have successfully delayed key mandates, such as the April 2025 requ...