To mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, Y-ACT celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of Sierra Leone’s first-ever Tobacco Control School Clubs in Freetown. This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to countering the tobacco industry’s targeting of young people by empowering them to lead change within their communities. In the lead-up to the launch, Y-ACT organized a two-day orientation workshop to equip school club leaders with the knowledge and tools needed for grassroots advocacy.

The workshop covered tobacco control policies, the health impacts of tobacco use, and practical strategies for mobilizing peers and engaging community leaders. National media engagement amplified these efforts, raising public awareness and building momentum for youth-led tobacco control. At the launch, students united with a powerful call to action, urging the President of Sierra Leone to appoint the Tobacco Control Council Chairperson and fully implement the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act. Their advocacy underscored the urgency of enforcing protective policies prioritizing young people’s health over industry interests. Through this milestone, Y-ACT reaffirms Amref’s commitment to advancing youth-led advocacy for stronger tobacco control across Africa, ensuring that young people are protected and active leaders in building healthier futures.