IILA’s Health Governance Programme Officer, Gideon Ogutu, had the honour of representing the organization at a prestigious global training on tobacco industry monitoring and accountability. The workshop, hosted by the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the University of Bath, brought together tobacco control leaders from 25 countries—both in person and online.

The forum was designed to build critical skills in research, monitoring, advocacy, and industry accountability to strengthen global tobacco control efforts. Sessions covered a wide range of strategic areas including:

• Monitoring tobacco industry tactics and interference

• Applying international tobacco control regulations

• Investigative research and advocacy skills

• The use of technology and AI in industry monitoring

• Corporate influence on public health science

The experience enabled participants to better understand the evolving strategies used by tobacco and nicotine product companies to undermine public health policies. It also provided space for networking, collaboration, and learning from global best practices.

This capacity-building opportunity adds to IILA’s institutional strength in policy advocacy and aligns with its continued commitment to promoting evidence-based regulations and corporate accountability within Kenya’s public health landscape.

We thank TCRG and all facilitators for their technical support, and for creating a dynamic and collaborative learning space.