The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sends a strong message that current tobacco trends and sustainable development cannot coexist. Target 3.a of the Sustainable Development Goals commits Member States to: "Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in all countries, as appropriate."

Effective governance is the basic building block of tobacco control. Without the coordinated engagement of all relevant sectors and stakeholders, even the best designed plans are unlikely to be implemented. Well-proven tobacco control measures – tobacco taxation, smoke-free places and advertising bans, for instance – require the meaningful engagement of sectors beyond health, including finance, tax, justice, agriculture, trade, labour, education, youth and others.

To support this effort, this Report, jointly produced by UNDP and the Framework Convention Secretariat, explores the lessons, experiences and good practices that have accrued amongst the 43 sub-Saharan Africa Parties to the Convention to establish functioning tobacco control focal points and National Coordination Mechanisms. Sub-Saharan Africa, where tobacco use is increasing dramatically, is uniquely vulnerable to tobacco use. The region’s rising incomes and young populations, amongst other factors, have made it a primary target of tobacco industry efforts to expand its markets. The Report provides a clear set of recommendations to guide future efforts to strengthen or establish strong, dedicated tobacco control governance mechanisms that can facilitate multisectoral coordination and action, while protecting against tobacco industry interference in policymaking.

The intended audience of this Report is those involved in developing, implementing and strengthening the coordinating mechanisms to implement the WHO FCTC in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.