Tobacco Use in Africa in the Era of New Tobacco Industry Strategies: Health, Social, Economic, and Regulatory Challenges
Tabagisme en Afrique à l’ère des nouvelles stratégies de l’industrie du tabac : enjeux sanitaires, sociaux, économiques et réglementaires
Published on Thursday, February 12, 2026
Abstract
Le colloque international sur le tabagisme en Afrique se propose d’explorer les enjeux sanitaires, sociaux, économiques et réglementaires liés au tabac et aux nouveaux produits de nicotine sur le continent. Il vise à analyser l’exposition au tabagisme passif, les stratégies de l’industrie pour étendre ses marchés et les défis de gouvernance et de justice sociale associés. Cet événement pluridisciplinaire réunira chercheurs, professionnels de santé, décideurs et acteurs de la société civile pour favoriser un dialogue scientifique et stratégique, partager des expériences et identifier des solutions innovantes et durables pour renforcer la lutte contre le tabagisme en Afrique.
Announcement
Argument
Although the specific theme of World No Tobacco Day 2026 has not yet been officially announced, recent orientations of the World Health Organization highlight increased attention to second-hand smoke, new tobacco and nicotine products, and the strategies deployed by the tobacco industry to maintain and expand its markets. These dynamics are particularly pronounced on the African continent, which has become a strategic space for the expansion of the tobacco industry due to its young population, rapid urbanization, and regulatory frameworks that are sometimes insufficiently enforced.
Tobacco use in Africa today constitutes a major public health challenge, while being embedded in complex social, economic, and cultural realities. The persistence of traditional tobacco use coexists with the emergence of new products presented as less harmful alternatives, even though their medium- and long-term effects remain uncertain. Moreover, exposure to second-hand smoke continues to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and workers in the informal sector.
Beyond its health consequences, tobacco use raises fundamental issues related to governance, social justice, and sustainable development. It questions the capacity of African states to implement effective public policies, resist pressure from the tobacco industry, and reconcile economic imperatives with the right to health. In this context, a multidisciplinary approach appears essential to understand the mechanisms at work and to formulate responses adapted to African specificities.
It is within this perspective that this international and multidisciplinary conference aims to bring together researchers, health professionals, legal experts, economists, sociologists, policymakers, and civil society actors to foster scientific and strategic dialogue on tobacco use in Africa. The conference seeks to produce critical analyses, share experiences, and identify innovative and sustainable courses of action to strengthen tobacco control efforts and protect populations.
Conference Objectives
- Understanding epidemiological dynamics and health impacts of tobacco use in Africa
- To analyze the prevalence and evolution of active and passive smoking, as well as their health consequences on different populations, in order to inform public health policies and interventions.
- Examining new tobacco and nicotine products and emerging patterns of use
- To assess perceptions, usage practices, and health risks associated with electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other nicotine products, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations.
- Analyzing the strategies of the tobacco and nicotine industry
- To identify and understand marketing, lobbying, and regulatory circumvention mechanisms deployed by the industry, as well as their effects on behaviors and vulnerabilities of African populations.
- Strengthening knowledge on governance and public tobacco control policies
- To examine existing legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks, their limitations and opportunities, and to propose innovative approaches for effective regulation and strengthened health sovereignty.
- Assessing the link between tobacco and crime
- To study the consequences of illicit trade, cross-border trafficking, and counterfeiting of tobacco products on public health, the economy, security, and governance, and to identify integrated strategies to combat these networks.
Thematic Areas (Non-Exhaustive)
Axis 1 – Epidemiological dynamics and health impacts of tobacco use in Africa
This axis analyzes the scope and evolution of active and passive smoking on the African continent, its health consequences, and the challenges related to the collection and use of epidemiological data in local contexts.
Axis 2 – New tobacco and nicotine products : uses, risks, and social perceptions
This axis examines the emergence of new tobacco and nicotine products, their patterns of use, social and cultural representations, scientific uncertainties, and associated health risks, particularly among young people and vulnerable populations.
Axis 3 – Tobacco industry strategies, marketing, and influence in Africa
This axis focuses on the analysis of the economic, marketing, and political strategies of the tobacco and nicotine industry, including lobbying, targeting of youth and women, use of digital media, and mechanisms for circumventing regulations.
Axis 4 – Governance, public policies, and tobacco regulation
This axis examines legal and institutional frameworks for tobacco control in Africa, the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, fiscal and regulatory policies, and governance and health sovereignty challenges in the face of industry pressure.
Axis 5 – Tobacco, crime, and illicit networks
This axis explores the links between tobacco and criminal activities, including illicit trade in cigarettes and nicotine products, cross-border trafficking, and counterfeiting. It analyzes the consequences of these networks on public health, local economies, governance, and security, and explores integrated strategies to reduce the black market and protect populations.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals may be submitted in French or English. Abstracts must not exceed 250 words, with a maximum of five keywords, formatted in Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing 1.15. Abstracts must be sent to ciltasms@gmail.com no later than February 25, 2026.
Each abstract must be preceded by the chosen thematic axis, the author’s full name, email address, and institutional affiliation (university, NGO, ministry, etc.). It must be followed by a biobibliographical note not exceeding 150 words per author.
Venue and Key Dates
Venue : Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Department of Criminology
- Official launch : December 5, 2025
- Abstract submission deadline : February 25, 2026
- Notification of acceptance : February 28, 2026 (at the latest)
- Deadline for full papers and PowerPoint/posters (non-negotiable) : March 28, 2026
- Conference dates : April 8–10, 2026
- Revised full papers after the conference (non-negotiable) : May 15, 2026
- Review feedback : May 30, 2026
- Final corrected papers : June 14, 2026
- Online publication : July 2026
Practical information
Participation Fees
- Students / Master’s / PhD candidates : 25,000 FCFA
- PhD holders : 35,000 FCFA
- Faculty / Researchers : 50,000 FCFA
- NGOs : 70,000 FCFA
- International organizations : 100,000 FCFA
Meals for all participants will be provided. Accommodation (three nights) will be covered for international participants and non-resident participants in Abidjan. Travel expenses will not be covered, except for invited experts.
Fees must be paid via money transfer to Dr. KOFFI Brou Dieudonné (+225) 07 09 05 61 87 (Orange/Wave) or via Western Union or MoneyGram no later than March 5, 2026.
Payment confirmation must be sent by email to ciltasms@gmail.com.
Note : Participation in the conference for any accepted paper is conditional upon full payment of registration fees. In the event of withdrawal, authors are requested to inform the conference organizers as soon as possible to allow program adjustments.
Scientific committee
President : Prof BAKAYOKO Ismaïla /Criminologue/Directeur du Laboratoire LEPDV, UFHB/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Prof BAMBA Assouman /Doyen de l’UFR Communication et Société/Université Alassane Ouattara/Côte d’Ivoire
- Prof KOUDOU Opadou/Psychologue/Ecole Normale Supérieure/Abidjan/ Côte d’Ivoire
- Prof NDIBNU-MESSINA Ethé, Julia/Didactique/ Université de Yaoundé/Cameroun
- Prof N’GORAN Koko Lucie /Criminologie/Université Félix Houphouët- Boigny/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Prof BAZARE Nébi Raymond/Criminologie/Université Félix Houphouët- Boigny/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Prof MAZOU Hilaire Gnazegbo/Socio-Anthropologue/Université Alassane Ouattara/
- Prof AKMEL Meless Siméon/Socio-Anthropologue/Université Alassane Ouattara/Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr (MC) ZADY Casimir, /Criminologie/Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr (MC) MBOE Gustave Georges/Psychologue des organisations/Université de Dschang/Cameroun
- Dr (MC) DAGBE Ahodan Stéphane /Criminologie/Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr (MC) OUATTARA Bakary/Criminologie/Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
Organisation committee
President : Dr (MC) KAZON Diescieu Aubin Sylvère/Criminologie/UFHB/Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr DẺDOU Zozo Alain, UFHB, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr KOFFI Brou Dieudonné, INSAAC, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr GNAGNE Akpro Akpro Franck Michael, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr KOUADIO Kessé Gnamien, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr MOUZINGA-KIMBAZA Patient Bienvenu, Université Marien Ngouabi, République du Congo
- Dr KONÉ M’Bétien Patrice, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr ACHO Apie Monique, Université Félix Houphouët- Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr ADOU Aguiri, Université Félix Houphouët- Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr TRA BI Boli Francis, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr KONAN Adjoua Marie-Jeanne, INSAAC, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr KOUASSI Amenan Madeleine Epse EKRA, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr YA Kouadio Ferdinand, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr YÉO Yéssonguiédjo, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr. SEKA Koko Marie-Madeleine, INSAAC ;
- Dr. KOUASSI Jean-Armel Koffi, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr KROUBO Kafe Guy Christian, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Dr. SEKA Chiayé Marie Pauline, INSAAC ;
- Mme KOFFI Moblée E. Blédjah Ekoun, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- M. KOUASSI Kouadio Robert, Chargé d’études, CILTAS-MS ;
- M. DIBY Hosé Prunel, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Mme ADEKAMBI O. Flore Epse AKE, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- Mme DIBY Amenan Mireille Lynda, Université Alassane Ouattara/GRACES, Côte d’Ivoire
- Mme SEDEHI Akissi Épiphanie, Université Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire ;
- M. TALL Lacina, Président de l’ONG Clucod et du ROCTACI ;
Bibliography
- Actes du 2e Colloque international sur le tabagisme en Afrique : « Tabagisme en Afrique : De nouveaux défis face à l’attractivité du tabac, de la nicotine et des produits connexes » in Djiboul, Revue scientifique des Arts, Communications, Lettres, Sciences humaines et sociales, Hors-série N° 15, janvier 2026, ISSN 2710-4249 in http://djiboul.org/
- Actes du 1er colloque de 2024 portant sur ; « Femmes, jeunes et enfants face à l’ingérence de
-l’industrie du tabac » in Revue des Sciences du Langage et de la Communication, N° 2 spécial, Décembre 2024, ISSN 1996-8310, in
https://www.revue-slc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Conference-inaugurale-2_RISLC-Numero-Special-Decembre-2022.pdf
- DROPE Jeffrey (dir.). 2011. La lutte contre le tabagisme en Afrique, peuple, politique et politiques, trad.Anne-Hélène Kerbiriou, Québec, PUL.
KIRSCH Marc et als. 2010. La Lettre du Collège de France, hors-série no 3 : Le tabac, Paris, Collège de France, ISSN 1628-2329.
- KATOLOGNAN. 2016. Activités psychoéducatives, stratégie de lutte contre le tabagisme, Sarrebrück, Éditions universitaires européennes.
- KOFFI Dieudonné. 2013. Afin qu’il ne soit trop tard, Abidjan, Balafons.
- MAZOU Gnazegbo Hilaire. 2017. « Perception des risques socio-sanitaires et attitude liée à la consommation du tabac chez les élèves du Collège Moderne Koko de Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire) » in Revue Perspectives Philosophiques n° 013, pp. 104-118.
- OMS. 2005. Convention-Cadre de l’OMS pour la Lutte Antitabac, Genève, OMS.
- PADIOLEAU Jean. 1977. « La lutte contre le tabagisme : action politique et régulation étatique de la vie quotidienne » in Revue française de science politique, 27ᵉ année, n° 6, 1977, pp. 932 – 959.
- PNLTA. 2019. La lutte antitabac en Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, PNLTA.
- SANOGO Ndhatz et als. 2005. « Le tabagisme en milieu scolaire à Bouaké (RCI) » in Revue des Maladies Respiratoires, vol. 22, N° HS1-janvier 2005, p. 99.
Subjects
- Sociology (Main category)
- Society > Sociology > Sociology of work
- Society > Sociology > Sociology of consumption
- Society > Sociology > Urban sociology
- Society > Sociology > Sociology of health
- Society > Sociology > Sociology of culture
- Society > Sociology > Economic sociology
- Society > Sociology > Criminology
Date(s)
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Attached files
Keywords
- tabagisme, Industrie du tabac, règlementation, nouveaux produits, ingérence
Contact(s)
- Brou Dieudonné KOFFI
courriel : koffibroudieudonne [at] gmail [dot] com - Ismaïla BAKAYOKO
courriel : bakismael [at] yahoo [dot] fr - Diescieu Aubin KAZON
courriel : diescieu75 [at] gmail [dot] com
Reference Urls
Information source
- Brou Dieudonné KOFFI
courriel : koffibroudieudonne [at] gmail [dot] com
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Tobacco Use in Africa in the Era of New Tobacco Industry Strategies: Health, Social, Economic, and Regulatory Challenges », Conference, symposium, Calenda, Published on Thursday, February 12, 2026, https://doi.org/10.58079/15o9d
