Mauritius Ranks 15th in the World for Good Governance in Tobacco Control

A meeting was held on April 27 at the Gold Crest Hotel in Quatre-Bornes to discuss the findings of the Mauritius Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025, attended by representatives from the WHO, the University of Mauritius, several ministries, and partner organizations. The discussions focused on ways to curb the influence of the tobacco industry on public policies, strengthen existing laws, and better protect public health.

The report ranks Mauritius 15th among 100 countries, with a score of 41, making it one of the highest ranked in Africa. This international index assesses the ability of states to resist attempts by the tobacco sector to interfere in governmental decision-making.

Speakers highlighted that tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. In Mauritius, non-communicable diseases account for nearly 80% of deaths, with smoking being a major risk factor.

While several advancements were praised, including graphic warnings, advertising bans, smoke-free spaces, and plain packaging, challenges persist, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Participants emphasized the need to enhance awareness, monitoring, and cooperation among institutions to solidify the progress made.