ISSUP Ethiopia Host Organization Participates in Regional Consultation on Protecting Tobacco Control Policies
ISSUP Ethiopia Host Organization Participates in Regional Consultation on Protecting Tobacco Control Policies
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Aligning with its core mandate to promote evidence-based substance use prevention, treatment, and public health governance, Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO)—the host organization for the ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter—actively participated in a high-level regional consultation webinar on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The webinar, titled "Protecting Tobacco Control in Times of Crisis: Moving Beyond Tobacco Industry Charity to Alternative Government Solutions," convened global experts, advocates, and health practitioners to address critical challenges in tobacco governance.
This strategic dialogue was jointly hosted by prominent global and continental health institutions:
- WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO)
- Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)
- Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM)
- African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA)
Key Highlights and Expert Insights
The regional forum brought together renowned international leaders in public health and policy advocacy:
- Mary Assunta — Head of Global Research and Advocacy at GGTC
- Andrew Black — Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)
- Prof. Lekan Ayo-Yussuf — Director of ATIM
Key discussions focused on strategies to counter tobacco industry interference—particularly tactics disguised as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during crises—and emphasized the necessity of sustainable, government-led health protection frameworks.
ISSUP Ethiopia’s Commitment
As the host organization of the ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter and a member of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), MCDO plays a pivotal role in bridging national practice with international standards.
Through active participation in these regional consultations, ISSUP Ethiopia reinforces its dedication to fostering multi-sectoral partnerships, safeguarding public health policies, and building a network of professionals committed to substance use prevention and healthier communities in Ethiopia.
