Globally, tobacco control efforts have been guided by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
Specifically, the MPOWER strategy emphasizes the need to monitor tobacco use, protect people from exposure to smoke, offer cessation programs, warn about the dangers, enforce bans, and raise taxes. The 66th World Health Assembly (2013) also set global voluntary targets, including a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025, which aligns with the 2025 Global Nutrition Targets. Tanzania's Commitment to these frameworks necessitates enhanced efforts at grassroots levels, particularly among youths.Tobacco use poses a significant public health challenge globally, and Tanzania is no exception. The country has witnessed a sharp increase in tobacco consumption, particularly among the youths. Practices Such as smoking cigarettes, shisha, and vaping have become common and socially accepted. Despite existing regulations,enforcement remains low, allowing tobacco use to proliferate in public spaces, nightclubs, and among university students.This trend is alarming given the well-documented health risks associated with tobacco, including its contribution to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions. These diseases already strainTanzania's healthcare system and disproportionately affect the socio- economically disadvantaged, making tobacco use a driver of health inequality.The Hema Salama campaign, spearheaded by youths from Tanzania Medical Students Association (TAMSA), is designed to address these gaps by raising awareness, encouraging behavioral change, and advocating for strict policy implementation to control tobacco use.