Ethiopia Moves to Curb Flavoured Tobacco Ads on Social Media

Mintesinot Niggusie

The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority is preparing measures to restrict advertisements for flavoured tobacco products circulating on social media, as regulators step up efforts to rein in digital promotion of nicotine products, as reported by Ahadu Radio.

The authority said the planned measures aim to limit content it believes is fuelling tobacco and nicotine use, particularly among younger audiences increasingly exposed to targeted online marketing. The announcement comes ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31.

Tolosa Gemeada, head of the authority's narcotics, psychotropic and tobacco control desk, said the industry continues to rely on shifting marketing tactics, including synthetic nicotine products often presented as safer alternatives. He said their core objective remains the expansion of addiction rather than harm reduction.

Officials indicated that restricting flavoured tobacco products and their advertising across media platforms, with a particular focus on digital channels, is emerging as a key policy priority. The Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority added that it is stepping up awareness campaigns and enforcement activity to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke and related products.

Health authorities reiterated that tobacco use remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes, and more than 20 types of cancer.

The country introduced a comprehensive tobacco control proclamation in 2019 to tighten regulation over production, marketing and consumption. The latest initiative builds on that framework, with renewed emphasis on digital platforms as the primary channel of concern for regulators.