From 10 to 12 March, Senegal hosted a regional workshop to equip government representatives and WHO country offices from Burkina Faso, Chad, Madagascar, Senegal and Tunisia with skills to develop and implement targeted, cost-effective communication strategies for stronger tobacco control policies.
Organized by the Convention Secretariat in collaboration with the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Public Awareness, the workshop fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing. Over three days, participants engaged in group exercises, scenario-based discussions and experience-sharing sessions.
Senegal, recognised for its leadership in tobacco control advocacy, shared how strategic communication has influenced legislative change. Representatives from the National Tobacco Control Programme highlighted their successful campaign to raise tobacco taxes, demonstrating how well-crafted messages can mobilise public support and drive political action.
Experts from the Knowledge Hub guided participants through a step-by-step approach to developing tailored communication strategies. Discussions covered audience segmentation, message framing and stakeholder engagement. Participants also explored digital advocacy, social media campaigns and community outreach to maximise national impact.
The workshop included a session by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) on its Nico-Teen campaign, which discourages young people from using flavoured tobacco products. This case study illustrated the power of targeted messaging to prevent youth initiation and reduce tobacco use.
By the end of the workshop, participants were equipped with practical tools to strengthen their national tobacco control efforts and advance public health goals.