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WHO brought together senior leaders from 13 countries to strengthen tobacco control efforts. The sixth Executive Leadership Programme for Tobacco Control, held in Lyon, focused on building negotiation skills, strategic alliances, and media communication to push tobacco-control policies forward at the national level. The program also tackled persistent hurdles like tobacco industry interference and shifting political landscapes.
WHO's fight against tobacco just got a leadership boost. Senior WHO Representatives and Heads of Country Offices from 13 nations across the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and European Regions convened in Lyon, France, for the sixth Executive Leadership Programme for Tobacco Control. The two-day program blended strategic discussions with hands-on leadership development — because moving the needle on public health policy takes more than technical know-how.
Participants dove into pressing topics like tobacco taxation, the rise of new nicotine and tobacco products, and enforcement challenges. They also addressed tobacco industry interference and evolving political environments that continue to slow progress. Interactive sessions honed skills in negotiation, influencing decision-makers, and media communication — including simulated press interviews. A key theme throughout was collaboration across WHO's three levels — country offices, regional offices, and headquarters — to turn global commitments into real national action.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Tobacco remains one of the world's leading preventable causes of death. Equipping WHO country leaders with sharper advocacy and negotiation skills could meaningfully accelerate the implementation of effective tobacco-control measures globally.
