Identifying key barriers and facilitators to implementing WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regulations in an African country: The case of Ethiopia.

The tobacco industry remains the biggest barrier to FCTC implementation continuing to advertise at the point-of-sale, fuel illicit tobacco trade, and push the sale of single cigarette sticks near schools. Other barriers include a shortage of funding/resources, a lack of strict enforcement, and an absence of local regulations. Financial and technical support and leveraging the FCTC as a legal instrument can help uphold strong regulations. More efforts are needed to educate government authorities and establish local regulations to protect policy implementation.