In a landmark move for one of the world’s most tobacco-dependent economies, Malawi officially became the 183rd party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) on Nov. 16, 2023, following its ratification on Aug. 18, 2023.
The treaty, adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2003, is the first international agreement designed specifically to reduce tobacco consumption and its devastating health impacts worldwide. With Malawi’s accession, the convention now covers more than 90% of the global population.
For Malawi, whose tobacco exports account for a substantial portion of foreign earnings, joining the treaty represents a delicate balancing act between safeguarding public health and transforming an economy long reliant on the crop.
“WHO congratulates Malawi for this historic step and reaffirms its strong commitment to collaborating closely with the government to achieve the shared goals of the WHO FCTC,” said Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO representative in Malawi. “Together, we will continue our collective efforts to protect public health and work towards a tobacco-free future.”
A treaty born of crisis
The WHO FCTC was created to address the global tobacco epidemic, which kills more than 7 million people annually — including nearly 900,000 nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke. More than 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The convention provides a comprehensive framework for countries to implement evidence-based tobacco control measures, including taxation policies, smoke-free public spaces, bans on tobacco advertising and promotion, health warnings on packaging, and measures to combat illicit trade.
Why Malawi joined
Despite being one of the world’s most tobacco-dependent economies, Malawi’s decision to ratify the treaty reflects growing recognition of the need to address tobacco-related health risks and diversify its agricultural base. Tobacco farmers may absorb nicotine equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes per day during cultivation and harvesting, WHO estimates show.
By joining the FCTC, Malawi commits to protecting its citizens from tobacco-related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular illness, while receiving technical support for implementing control policies. The country has already begun assessing its needs for effective treaty implementation.
Obligations ahead
As a party to the convention, Malawi is now expected to implement comprehensive tobacco control policies, protect public health policies from tobacco industry influence, introduce health warnings on tobacco products, ban advertising and sponsorship, create smoke-free environments, increase tobacco taxes, and submit periodic implementation reports.
The treaty also encourages crop replacement and agricultural diversification — offering long-term economic and health benefits beyond tobacco dependency.
“Malawi has agreed to commence processes to control tobacco,” Dr. Kimambo affirmed.
A new chapter
For a nation where tobacco has long been considered “green gold,” the ratification marks an important step toward protecting public health while promoting sustainable development beyond tobacco dependency. As WHO FCTC Secretariat Head Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo noted in welcoming Malawi to the convention, the treaty now has 183 parties — with Malawi as the most recent addition.
The convention entered into force in Malawi on Nov. 16, 2023, committing the country to a future where public health takes precedence over an industry that has shaped its economy for over a century.
Commenting on the development, Nelson Nelson Baziwelo Zakeyu, executive director of Drug Fight Malawi a leading organization fighting drug and substance abuse — described the move as a great step toward reducing health-related challenges affecting many Malawians.
“Despite that we are aware of the importance of tobacco to Malawi’s economy, many Malawians are affected by use and consumption of tobacco-related substances, causing tobacco-related health illness and death,” Zakeyu said.
Progress in 2025
Malawi has made notable strides toward strengthening tobacco control. In 2025, the country undertook a national WHO FCTC implementation needs assessment, which identified key gaps and generated evidence to prioritize interventions and inform a national tobacco-control roadmap.
Stakeholder engagement has also improved, with government ministries, WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat, civil society and other partners increasingly working together.
The establishment of the National Coordination Mechanism provides a platform for more systematic multisectoral collaboration. In addition, Malawi has submitted its first WHO FCTC implementation report, marking an important milestone in accountability and reporting under the convention.
