Adopting a WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control-Based Tobacco Control Law in Ethiopia: Sustained Transnational Health Advocacy and Multi-Sectoral Institutionalized Support

Eric Crosbie (), Kyle Edison, Vandyke Maclean, Dereje Moges, Caroline Fuss, Monique E. Muggli, Bintou Camara Bityeki and Ernesto M. Sebrié
Additional contact information
Eric Crosbie: School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Kyle Edison: School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Vandyke Maclean: School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Dereje Moges: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Caroline Fuss: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Monique E. Muggli: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Bintou Camara Bityeki: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Ernesto M. Sebrié: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington, DC 20005, USA

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to document how Ethiopia adopted a WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)-based tobacco control law. Methods: We analyzed publicly available documents, including news media articles, advocacy reports, and government documents. We triangulated these findings by interviewing nine key stakeholders. Data were analyzed to construct a historical and thematic narrative and analyzed through a retrospective policy analysis. Results: Local and international health advocacy efforts helped introduce and support WHO FCTC-based legislation by (1) educating policymakers about the WHO FCTC, (2) providing legal assistance in drafting legislation, (3) generating local data to counter industry claims, and (4) producing media advocacy to expose industry activity. Health advocates worked closely with government officials to create a multi-sectoral tobacco committee to institutionalize efforts and insulate tobacco companies from the policymaking process. Japan Tobacco International bought majority shares of the government-owned tobacco company and attempted to participate in the process, using standard industry tactics to undermine legislative efforts. However, with health advocacy assistance, government officials were able to reject these attempts and adopt a WHO FCTC-based law in 2019 that included 100% smoke-free indoor places, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, and large pictorial health warning labels, among other provisions. Conclusion: Sustained local health advocacy efforts supported by international technical and financial assistance can help establish WHO FCTC-based tobacco control laws. Applying a standardized multi-sectoral approach can establish coordinating mechanisms to further institutionalize the WHO FCTC as a legal tool to build support with other government sectors and insulate the tobacco industry from the policymaking process.

Keywords: tobacco control; tobacco industry; health advocacy; Ethiopia; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/280/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/280/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:3:p:280-:d:1348128

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().