Tobacco: Notable Progress in Mauritius, but Industrial Influence Still Present
A stakeholder awareness meeting was held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Gold Crest Hotel in Quatre Bornes to present and discuss the results of the Mauritius Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025.
The event gathered key players including Ms. Vinoda Vythelingum, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO); Yodhim Del Rosa, global research coordinator at the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control; Dr. Marie France Chan Sun, associate professor at the University of Mauritius; Poubarlanaden Appavoo, president of Volunteers Involved in Student Activities (VISA); along with representatives from various ministries and partner organizations.
The report, produced by the University of Mauritius in collaboration with VISA, is part of a global survey coordinated by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, covering 100 countries. It assesses how governments handle tobacco industry interference in accordance with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
During the meeting, participants exchanged views on strategies to counter the industry's influence on policy-making and to strengthen the implementation of tobacco control measures. The session also served as a platform to review findings and identify practical actions to enhance evidence-based policies and protect public health.
In her speech, Ms. Vinoda Vythelingum highlighted that tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide, contributing to over 8 million deaths annually. She noted that in Mauritius, non-communicable diseases account for nearly 80% of deaths, with tobacco use being a major risk factor. While she acknowledged progress such as graphic warnings, advertising bans, smoke-free laws, and plain packaging, she pointed out that smoking prevalence remains at 18.1%, including among youth.
Mauritius ranked 15th out of 100 countries in the 2025 Index, with a score of 41, placing it among the top performers in Africa. However, challenges persist, particularly due to the industry's influence in sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Ms. Vinoda Vythelingum reaffirmed WHO's support in implementing the report's recommendations, emphasizing the need for more robust awareness, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms.
For her part, Dr. Marie France Chan Sun described the Index as an important measure of the country's efforts to protect public health from the interests of the tobacco industry. She reminded attendees that Mauritius received a Special Recognition Award from WHO in 2024 and ranked 10th out of 90 countries in the 2023 Index. The 2025 report, she noted, aims to build on these achievements while addressing remaining gaps.
She called for ongoing collaboration among stakeholders to implement the recommendations and further strengthen Mauritius's position in global tobacco control efforts.
