On Monday 12 January 2026 The Somali Parliament, House of the People, has passed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international treaty developed under the World Health Organization (WHO).
The legislation was approved by a strong majority, with 132 members voting in favor. The Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Mr. Aways Hussein, presented the second reading of the bill before members of parliament ahead of the vote.
With this approval, Somalia becomes the 183rd country to join the international convention known as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Somalia is among the countries facing high public health risks linked to tobacco use, which contributes significantly to non-communicable diseases and places a heavy burden on the country’s already fragile health system.
Lawmakers stated that joining the convention is a critical step toward protecting public health, reducing tobacco-related illnesses, and improving overall societal well-bein