Freetown, November 18, 2025 – Sierra Leone has restated its strong commitment to global tobacco control during the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), held this week.
Delivering the country’s position, Dr. Abdul Jalloh, Head of Delegation and Director of Non‑communicable Diseases and Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, said Sierra Leone remains unwavering in its efforts to implement the FCTC and align with the African Region’s shared priorities.
Dr. Jalloh highlighted the enactment of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act of 2022 as a landmark step in fulfilling Sierra Leone’s obligations under the Convention. The Act establishes smoke‑free public environments, bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and requires pictorial health warnings covering 90 percent of tobacco packaging. It also mandates licensing and registration of manufacturers, importers, and distributors, while creating a multi‑sectoral Tobacco and Nicotine Control Council to oversee enforcement.
He noted that the Ministry of Health is finalising regulations and enforcement guidelines to operationalise the Act, which will strengthen coordination among ministries, local councils, and law enforcement agencies.
Sierra Leone also called for greater technical and financial cooperation among Parties, development partners, and the WHO FCTC Secretariat to support capacity building, surveillance, enforcement, and monitoring systems. Such support, Dr. Jalloh said, would help countries address tobacco industry interference, improve data collection, and expand public education campaigns, particularly to protect young people.
“Sierra Leone’s participation in COP11 is an opportunity to reaffirm national commitment, strengthen partnerships, and consolidate momentum for full implementation of both global and domestic frameworks,” Dr. Jalloh stated.
He stressed that Sierra Leone’s approach will continue to be grounded in collaboration, evidence, and the overarching goal of safeguarding the right to health. With sustained political leadership and cross‑sectoral collaboration, Sierra Leone stands ready to contribute meaningfully to a tobacco‑free and healthier future.
