Dr. Tedros warns of rising nicotine threat as Rwanda strengthens tobacco control efforts

Elias Hakizimana Nov 18, 2025 0 Comments

BY ELIAS HAKIZIMANA.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has issued a renewed warning on the deadly impact of tobacco and the growing threat posed by new nicotine products, a message that resonates strongly with Rwanda as the country steps up its own anti-tobacco measures.

On November 17, Dr. Tedros used his official X account to remind the world that tobacco kills seven million people every year, urging nations to intensify smoking cessation efforts to save lives.

His remarks came as he addressed delegates at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), where global leaders gathered to discuss strategies for preventing tobacco-related deaths and curbing rising nicotine use among young people.

Rwanda, one of the early adopters of the FCTC in Africa, has in recent years strengthened its legal framework to reduce tobacco consumption. The country has imposed increased taxes on cigarettes, introduced graphic health warnings on packages, designated smoke-free public spaces, and restricted advertising and promotion.

Despite these measures, health advocates warn that emerging nicotine products—such as e-cigarettes and flavored vapes—are finding their way onto the market and could pose new challenges for policymakers, particularly in urban areas where youth access is harder to monitor.

During COP11’s strategic dialogue themed Healthy Planet, Healthy Future, Dr. Tedros underscored the environmental cost of tobacco, noting that the crop contributes to deforestation, chemical pollution, and waste.

This message aligns with Rwanda’s broader environmental commitments, including its efforts to tackle plastic pollution and promote sustainable agriculture. Ensuring that tobacco control is integrated into environmental protection, experts say, could strengthen Rwanda’s push toward a greener and healthier society.

At the ministerial roundtable focusing on The New Nicotine Challenge, Dr. Tedros cautioned that new nicotine products are aggressively marketed to young people, creating what he described as a potential new wave of addiction.

For Rwanda, where the youth population forms the majority, the warning highlights the importance of early prevention, community awareness campaigns, and stronger regulation of emerging nicotine devices.

As global leaders at COP11 renewed their commitment to a tobacco-free future, Rwanda remains among the African countries actively working to reduce tobacco-related illness.

Dr. Tedros’s message serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, the evolving nature of nicotine consumption demands continued vigilance, stronger enforcement, and sustained public health education to protect future generations.