Tackling tobacco interference is part and parcel of SA’s imperative  to improve public health

South Africa’s 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index has painted a sobering picture of the tobacco industry’s continued influence on public policy. Beyond the findings, the launch also highlighted the role of stronger health taxes in reducing tobacco use and protecting public health.

The TII Index is a global monitoring tool that assesses the extent to which governments are protected from tobacco industry influence in the development and implementation of public health policies, in line with Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The Index helps identify gaps in government safeguards against tobacco industry interference and provides recommendations to strengthen transparency and accountability. Developed and coordinated globally by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), the Index is implemented in South Africa by the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) in partnership with the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS). South Africa’s Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index 2025 was launched last week in Pretoria.

This year’s report found that South Africa’s TII Index score remained unchanged at 64 since 2023, highlighting the continued influence of the tobacco industry on public policy. While the report examined the extent of industry interference, discussions throughout the launch also reinforced the importance of health taxes as one of the country’s most effective tobacco control measures.

During a panel discussion at the launch, health economist Rashaad Amra who has been commissioned to do research for the Health Tax Alliance project, reiterated that tobacco excise taxes should be viewed first and foremost as a public health intervention rather than simply a source of government revenue. He noted that while the tobacco industry often points to its economic contribution, the costs associated with tobacco-related illness, lost productivity and the strain on the health system far outweigh the revenue generated from tobacco taxes.

Amra said stronger tobacco excise taxes remain one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco consumption, prevent disease and improve public health, particularly when implemented alongside other evidence-based tobacco control measures.
Speakers also stressed that effective tobacco control requires governments to implement evidence-based policies free from tobacco industry influence. This includes greater transparency in government engagements with the industry and stronger implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The launch served as a reminder that protecting public health requires a comprehensive approach, with stronger health taxes remaining one of the most powerful tools to reduce tobacco-related harm, save lives and improve health outcomes for all South Africans.