In light of the worrying rise in diseases linked to tobacco use, Angola is reinforcing its commitment to prevention, regulation, and the protection of young people. The Health Roundtable on Smoking, organized by World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health, and partners such as the Private University of Angola (UPRA), marks an important milestone in this collective effort.

Held in Luanda, the country's capital, the meeting brought together policymakers, experts, and students to reflect on the impact of tobacco use and accelerate more effective responses in a challenging global context. The starting point was clear: tobacco use remains one of the greatest threats to public health, responsible for over 8 million deaths a year worldwide.

Although Africa has relatively lower prevalence rates, the growing influence of the tobacco industry in emerging markets, particularly among young people, presents a new challenge. In this context, Angola faces a critical choice: act now or face more serious consequences in the future.

The most striking warning came from the national director of the Ministry of Health's National Institute for the Fight against Drugs (INALUD), Dr. Ana Graça, who revealed that, in 2025 alone, Bengo, one of the country's 21 provinces, recorded over 100,000 cases of smoking-related diseases. This figure highlights the human impact of tobacco use and reinforces the urgency of stepping up education and prevention efforts.

According to the official, the country must redouble its vigilance, particularly considering the emergence of increasingly nicotine products, in attractive formats and often targeted at young people. This reality demands firm responses that combine effective regulation, efficient communication about the risks, and the protection of the most vulnerable groups.

Another aspect highlighted during the event was the need for a multi-sectoral approach. The fight against tobacco use encompasses health, social, economic, and governance aspects, requiring coordination between the State, civil society, and strategic partners. In this context, Dr. Marcos Txanhanga, coordinator of the Technical Group for the Implementation of the Special Consumption Tax at the General Tax Administration (AGT), reported that Angola has increased the tax rate on tobacco products from 10% to 60%.

This measure is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which advocates a progressive increase in the tax burden on tobacco, aiming to reach at least 70% by 2030. In addition to helping reduce consumption, the tax increase will bolster funding for the health sector, as the tax revenue generated will be channeled into programs and initiatives to promote, prevent, and improve public health.

The Health Roundtable, which had a strong interactive component, gathered relevant contributions and reflections from participants. Among the main concerns highlighted were the need to step up enforcement of tobacco consumption in public spaces and to strengthen education and psychosocial support initiatives aimed at smokers and the victims of tobacco use.

The event concluded with a clear message: Angola still has time to halt the rise in smoking, but it is imperative to act immediately, consistently, and collectively. Protecting the health of current and future generations is not only a priority but also a shared and urgent responsibility.