Botswana will on 30 April 2026 officially launch the 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index (TIII) Report, a national assessment examining how tobacco industry influence affects public health policymaking.
The launch, convened by the Anti Tobacco Network (ATN), will bring together key stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and development partners. While the in-person event will be limited to invited stakeholders, members of the public are invited to join the launch virtually from 14:00 hrs.
The Tobacco Industry Interference Index is a global initiative coordinated by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control. It evaluates how governments respond to tobacco industry interference and the extent to which they implement safeguards under Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This provision calls on governments to protect public health policies from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.
The Botswana 2025 report presents findings based on publicly available evidence of tobacco industry interference and assesses how institutions respond to such influence. Countries included in the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index are scored across a set of indicators derived from Article 5.3 guidelines. Lower scores reflect stronger protection of public health policies and better governance.
For Botswana, the report provides an important opportunity to reflect on progress made, identify gaps, and strengthen efforts to safeguard health policies from undue influence. It also contributes to a growing global body of evidence highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in tobacco control.
The launch event will serve as a platform to:
- Share the key findings of the report
- Raise awareness on tobacco industry interference
- Encourage dialogue among stakeholders on policy and practice
- Strengthen collaboration in advancing tobacco control efforts in Botswana
Members of the public, practitioners, and anyone interested in public health are encouraged to join the virtual launch and be part of the conversation on protecting health policies in Botswana.
Further details on how to join the virtual event will be shared through ATN communication platforms.
