From April 28 to May 2, 2025, I had the privilege of participating in the BETA 3.0 training in Entebbe, Uganda — a capacity-building initiative by the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM). This immersive experience brought together passionate advocates from across the continent to sharpen our skills in tobacco industry monitoring and policy advocacy.
The training kicked off with a powerful reminder from Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf: policy adoption is not enough — implementation is where the real work begins. We explored the nicotine addiction model, the alarming rise of smoking among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, and how the tobacco industry exploits empowerment narratives to expand its market. We were introduced to EMPOWER, a strategic framework for tobacco control, and reminded that tobacco use is not just a health issue — it’s a development issue.
Throughout the week, we delved into industry document research, Article 5.3 of the FCTC, political mapping, litigation strategies, tobacco taxation, and media engagement. We learned how to use the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents and the ATIM app to uncover and respond to industry interference.
As Team Kenya (Cecilia Lubanga, Mary Kitoo, Kelvin Mokaya and I), we presented the STAMP Out Tobacco Initiative, a bold plan to reduce tobacco-related deaths through online and offline monitoring. The feedback we received was invaluable, and I’m excited about the road ahead.
This training has deepened my understanding of the tobacco control landscape and equipped me with practical tools to drive change. I’m grateful to ATIM, Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, and all the facilitators for their generosity in sharing knowledge.
As I return to my tobacco control advocacy work, I do so with renewed impetus, sharper strategies, and a stronger network of allies across Africa.
#WCTC2025 #TIIDWI2025
ODUOR KEVIN 