Data and methods

Methodology overview

The TCDI RDC website aims to meet the information needs of government agencies, the general public, academic institutions, and civil society by making accessible high-quality data on tobacco control indicators such as smoking prevalence, morbidity, legislative and regulatory measures in the country. The design, functionality and content of the site are guided by the needs of the tobacco control community in the DRC. This document describes the general overview of the website based on the process used by TCDI DRC:

• Identification of tobacco control data needs
• Analysis of stakeholder feedback and prioritization of data needs
• Research, data collection, and analysis
• Website design
• Validation and testing of website content by stakeholders
• Finalization and publication
• Periodic updates

1. Identify data-related needs

From March to April 2022, the TCDI DRC team conducted interviews with 20 tobacco control stakeholders (including representatives from government, civil society organizations and academia) to explore how they make tobacco control decisions, the data used for those decisions, data gaps and the preferred format for data (e.g. graphs, short paragraphs, infographics). A report presenting the results of this assessment is available here. Since then, the team has continued to meet regularly with this group of stakeholders to identify evolving data needs and new themes for tobacco control research.

2. Analysis of stakeholder feedback and prioritization of needs

In May 2022, these and other key tobacco control stakeholders gathered for a co-design workshop to discuss the cross-cutting data gaps identified during the interviews. A total of 30 participants discussed the results of the assessment and voted for the priority data gaps they wished to see filled by the dashboard, including a topic to be covered by primary research. The full report of the co-design workshop is available here.  

The priority data themes identified were:

1. Prevalence of tobacco consumption
2. Tobacco control legislation in the DRC
3. Taxation
4. Industry interference
5. Morbidity
6. Illicit trade (topic chosen for primary research)

Following the development of the TCDI webpages with initial themes, additional workshops were held to test the usability of the site and propose new themes for inclusion.

During the workshop held in August 2024 , stakeholders identified an additional three priority themes to which the findings of the adolescent tobacco research being carried out in three countries, including the DRC, was also added. These four new pages will be included on the dashboard in 2025.

1. Adolescent tobacco and nicotine use (primary research topic)
2. New and emerging nicotine products
3. WHO FCTC
4. Prevention and awareness

3. Research, data collection and analysis

The TCDI team carried out research and data analysis for each theme, including a systematic search for reliable primary data (e.g. data collected by academic institutions, global foundations or governments) and secondary data (e.g. peer-reviewed academic articles). Where necessary, primary data was analyzed by the team’s data analysts using statistical software such as Stata. Stakeholder needs were examined in relation to the available primary and secondary data, relevant statistics and graphs were produced, and an explanatory text was written. The advisory board was established to follow-up closely all steps for the primary research survey before the validation of the final results. The advisory board was established to closely monitor the primary research survey before the validation of the final results.

4. Website design

Using feedback from stakeholders during the co-design workshop as a starting point, the TCDI team designed the visual elements and functionality of the website. This process included the design of visual elements (infographics, graphic formats and colors) and user functionalities (menus, data exports and search functionalities).

5. Validation of website content by stakeholders

Tobacco control experts were selected according to their thematic expertise to review the quality and reliability of the proposed content of the dashboard. Their comments were incorporated into the text and design of the website. Twenty. Tobacco control experts were selected by theme to review the quality and reliability of the proposed content of the dashboard. Their comments were incorporated into the text and design of the website. Twenty tobacco control experts were selected by theme to review the quality and reliability of the proposed content. Their comments were incorporated into the text and design of the website. The 20 tobacco control stakeholders were invited to take part in user feedback sessions through small online discussion groups, during which they opened the website link for the first time, shared their screens and recounted their experience of navigating the site. The TCDI team documented the process, noting areas for improvement and assessing whether the information met users’ data needs and whether the visual elements were clear and easy to understand. All feedback was collated to produce a stakeholder feedback matrix.

6. Finalization and publication

Based on the stakeholder feedback matrix, the TCDI team carried out additional literature searches (where necessary) to find and analyze data to fill in the remaining gaps. In addition, visual elements and functionalities were redesigned where necessary. The changes were incorporated into the website themes and the site was published online.

7. Periodic updates

The TCDI team will continue to consult with experts, review newly available data and update the website to reflect any changes. Please complete the “Showcase your work” form if you have recently available data or publications you would like to share.

Prevalence

This page presents data on the prevalence of tobacco consumption disaggregated by product type, gender, age, urban/rural location, level of education, socio-economic status, province, and the reasons given for tobacco consumption. It also includes detailed comparisons between 2014 and 2019. Data sources used include the 2017–2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and the 2013–2014 National Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).

Legislation

This page provides information on the various legislative and regulatory tobacco control measures in the DRC. In partnership with key stakeholders, the TCDI DRC team identified and compiled important measures including laws, decrees and orders from 1968 to the present day. We also present a brief overview of the application of these measures and others that are planned or under development.

Taxation

This page provides information on the tobacco tax regime in the DRC, the types of taxes applied to tobacco products, the evolution of tobacco taxation in the DRC and the ranking of tobacco tax policies in the country. In addition, this page shares the impact of tobacco tax policy in the DRC and the impact of tobacco taxes on public revenues, as well as the taxation of new products. Data from the DGDA and the Ministries of Finance and Industry are used.

Industry interference

This page presents information on the indicators of industry interference in the DRC, the tobacco market and the market share of tobacco companies. It also covers  key myths and facts as well as the tactics used by the tobacco industry. Finally, a series of recommendations are proposed to reduce the extent of industry interference in the DRC. DGDA data, reports and articles were used for this theme.

Morbidity

This page provides information on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases related to tobacco use by gender and age group in Sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide based on published articles and reports.

Illicit trade

DG’s DRC Illicit cigarette trade primary research aimed to answer two key questions: 1) What is the percentage of the illicit cigarette trade in the DRC? 2) What are the origins and brands of illicit cigarettes sold in the DRC?

Empty cigarette packs were collected from garbage cans, street trash, fixed and mobile retailers in 32 health zones in 8 provinces. Health zones were stratified according to rural and urban location, and provinces were randomly selected from the country’s 26 provinces and divided into four strata of porosity (very high, high, moderate and low). Each cigarette pack was examined to collect and code information on the pack, including brand, tax stamp, health warning, prohibition of sale to minors, nicotine and tar content, country of origin and manufacturer’s name. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 48 key informants directly or indirectly involved in the cigarette trade in the DRC.

Adolescent tobacco and nicotine use in the DRC

Using findings from 2024 the Data on Youth and Tobacco in Africa (DaYTA) survey conducted by Development Gateway: An IREX Venture in partnership with Research Initiatives for Social Development (RISD) and Laboratory for Survey and Research for Development (SRD Lab) and the collaboration of the Minister of Health and the National Institute of Public health in the DRC, this page explores key data, current trends, underlying factors of youth tobacco and nicotine consumption, tobacco and nicotine marketing strategies, and cessation activities in the DRC.

New and emerging tobacco and nicotine products

This page examines the prevalence, health effects, and marketing strategies of NENTPs in the DRC. It also provides insights into their impact on public health, regulatory policies, and consumer trends. Finally, it dispels common myths, presents global and local policy responses, and offers recommendations for effective tobacco control measures.

WHO FCTC

This page provides an overview of articles and guidelines necessary to understand  the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)- the world’s first global public health treaty, adopted by the WHO Assembly in 2003 and effective since 2005 to combat the tobacco epidemic and protect present and future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. This page is designed to equip decision-makers with the essential knowledge and policy tools needed to take effective action against tobacco use, in alignment with the WHO FCTC guidelines.

Prevention and awareness

In line with article 12 of the WHO FCTC, this page shifts the focus from reactive health responses to proactive prevention, starting with interventions that address the root causes of tobacco and nicotine use. It presents a four-part framework, from pre-primary to tertiary prevention, grounded in strategic actions proven effective in other country contexts. Drawing on global best practices and empirical evidence, this page highlights actionable pathways for the DRC to reduce tobacco and nicotine use and exposure across the population, starting well before initiation.