The Data to Action Toolkit for Africa is a guide for governments and other tobacco control stakeholders to use existing data and information to systematically promote tobacco control policy and programs. 

The kit aims at:

1. Identifying existing data and information sources that are relevant  to TC
2. Developing a strategy on how to access and utilize the information for policy   change, legislation development and implementation of TC programs
3. Identifying data and information gaps including areas for further research
4. Identifying strategies for improving monitoring policies and programs and surveillance systems in-country.
5. Building capacity at country level to be able to identify and utilize existing data and information in the different areas of tobacco control to be able to:
   a.Drive policy change to advance tobacco control
   b. Make evidence based decision 
   c.Counter tobacco industry interference (use evidence, existing statistics to reason a case)
6. Developing a plan of action on identified priorities

 The toolkit is designed for use by all tobacco control actors within a country, ministry, department or an organisation.

The benefits of this toolkit are 4-fold. The kit:

(1) Uses proven methodologies to identify understand and address data and or information barriers to existing tobacco control policy and program,
(2) Leads to quality improvement and innovations in tobacco control policies and programs using existing data and information leading to incremental and or radical changes in the way of work,
(3) Facilitates TC actors to set priorities and action plans to address the identified barriers,
(4) And serves as a communications tool which allows TC partners to share and learn from each other on how to address multiple challenges in TC programming.

Therefore, the Data to Action Toolkit is a valuable addition to implementing high-quality and innovative tobacco control programs in Africa. It can be accessed on;download here