By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• WHO recognition: Liberia Health Minister Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto received a WHO Certificate of Appreciation for World No Tobacco Day 2026.
• Tobacco focus: WHO cited Liberia’s support for tobacco-control efforts and broader public health initiatives.
• Global push: The recognition comes as WHO continues to expand international tobacco-control campaigns across developing markets.

The World Health Organization has recognized Liberia’s health minister for the country’s tobacco-control efforts and broader public health initiatives.

WHO awarded Louise Mapleh Kpoto a Certificate of Appreciation during activities for World No Tobacco Day 2026, recognizing her leadership in advancing tobacco control and promoting healthier lifestyles in Liberia.

According to WHO and Liberian officials, the recognition underscores the country’s efforts to strengthen public health awareness and reduce tobacco-related harm. The award was accepted on Kpoto’s behalf by Julie Fatormah Wiah, chairperson of Liberia’s House Committee on Health.

“The award acknowledges Dr. Kpoto’s dedication to strengthening tobacco control efforts, promoting healthier lifestyles, and protecting public health across Liberia,” officials said in a statement accompanying the recognition.

The honor places Liberia among a group of countries recognized by WHO this year for supporting anti-tobacco campaigns and disease-prevention efforts related to World No Tobacco Day.

WHO uses the annual observance to encourage governments to adopt stricter tobacco-control policies and to expand public health education on smoking and nicotine use.

The organization has increasingly focused its recent campaigns on youth nicotine use, flavored products, and emerging nicotine categories, while continuing to push for stronger implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Liberian officials described the recognition as a sign of growing international confidence in the country’s leadership in the health sector and its ongoing reforms. “Liberia is proud of this remarkable achievement and the strong leadership driving positive change in the health sector,” a government statement said.

Liberia’s healthcare system continues to face major challenges in infrastructure, disease prevention and healthcare access. Health officials say the ministry has recently increased public awareness campaigns on harmful substances, preventive healthcare and healthy living practices.

Additionally, a government agency from Brazil, a Minister of Health from Uruguay, academics, and civil society leaders from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico are among those honored with WHO’s 2026 World No Tobacco Day Award.

Every year, WHO presents these awards to individuals or institutions that have made outstanding contributions to advancing policies and measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Winners are selected from nominations received through a global public call.

This year, the Region of the Americas had five honorees who are being recognized for their contributions to tobacco control.

• The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (Brazil) has shown commitment and leadership in restoring and strengthening the National Policy and the National Plan for Alternatives in Tobacco-Growing Areas.
• Mônica Andreis (Brazil) has been one of Brazil’s most influential tobacco control leaders throughout her 20-year career. Andreis’ trajectory, which began as a co-founder of ACT Promoção da Saúde, has been defined by her leadership in advancing the WHO FCTC, including her pivotal role in the landmark 2009 São Paulo smoke-free law, which later became a model for national policy.
• Daniel Dorado (Colombia), director of the tobacco control campaign at Corporate Accountability, an international advocacy organization, has coordinated four editions of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index for Latin America, helping advance implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 and strengthening safeguards against industry interference.
• Dr. Inti Barrientos (Mexico), a medical sciences researcher at Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Dr. Barrientos has produced independent studies on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), heated tobacco products, and flavored capsule cigarettes, documenting their appeal among young people and their impact on consumption patterns.
• Dr. Cristina Lustemberg (Uruguay), minister of Public Health, has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to reinforce the government’s longstanding role in tobacco control. Backed by court rulings, her administration repealed decrees that had weakened plain packaging measures and reinstated the ban on the commercialization of heated tobacco products.

The World No Tobacco Day Awards are presented annually as part of World No Tobacco Day, established by WHO Member States in 1987 and observed each year on May 31 to raise awareness of the harms of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.