Suriname President, HE Jennifer Simons has reaffirmed the Government’s support for strengthening tobacco control as a central measure to prevent noncommunicable diseases and advance sustainable development, following a five-day mission held from 2-6 February 2026.
The mission was conducted at the Government’s request and led by Mr Andrew Black, Acting Head of the Convention Secretariat, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization and the Economics for Health Unit at Johns Hopkins University.
During a meeting with the President, the delegation noted the strong commitment to reviewing and strengthening the national tobacco control framework to ensure alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC.
The delegation also met with Mr Ashwin Adhin, Chair of the National Assembly, and members of the Special Commission for Health, who expressed support for reinforcing tobacco control measures in line with international best practices. Separate discussions were held with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Suriname to explore opportunities for technical and financial cooperation.
Stakeholders consulted during the mission committed to prioritizing amendments to Suriname’s 2013 Tobacco Act to ensure that the revised legislation incorporates measures to continue towards the full implementation of the WHO FCTC. Priority areas identified include the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco products, stronger measures to protect public health policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, and the establishment of formal mechanisms to ensure multisectoral coordination in policymaking and implementation.
Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge in Suriname. A 2021 investment case estimated that tobacco-related diseases cause more than 500 deaths each year, representing 12 per cent of all deaths nationwide. The 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey found that 13.2 per cent of students aged 13 to 15 currently use tobacco products.
Suriname ratified the WHO FCTC in 2008 and enacted the Tobacco Act in 2013. Although Suriname has not yet become a Party to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, stakeholders consulted during the mission expressed support for accession and readiness to strengthen action against illicit trade.