Chief Specialist Scientist

Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit

Prof. Catherine Egbe is a Chief Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council in the Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit. She holds honorary positions as Associate Professor at both the School of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the School of Public Health , University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Prof. Egbe is a registered research psychologist and a public health scientist. She is a Fellow of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) and currently co-chairs SRNT’s Global Research Network. She is also a senior editor in BMJ Tobacco Control, the foremost academic journal in the field of tobacco control.  She has led several regional and national research studies including South Africa’s first Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Tobacco Endgame in Africa, and a South African National University students’ study on exposure to e-cigarette and hookah marketing and advertisement in South Africa. She has authored over 70 scientific publications (peer-reviewed papers, books and book chapters).

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What are your research interests?

I focus on the broad spectrum of tobacco control research and advocacy including policy, epidemiology, prevention, cessation, endgame, industry monitoring, emerging and re-emerging products and commercial determinants of health as well as mental health research.

What is one thing you would like about work you do at SAMRC?

One thing I like about my work in SAMRC is the ability to interface with the research and advocacy (research translation) space. I call it the research-in-action phenomenon. I also believe the strategic positioning of SAMRC as a trusted voice for science gives me a rare opportunity to make my work even more impactful. The South African tobacco control Bill though moving at snail’s speed through the legislative process has also afforded me the opportunity to represent SAMRC in advancing tobacco control in South Africa as we support the National Department of Health in their effort to protect the lives of the nation.

What is one of your proudest moments in your work?

I have had a couple, but I would say each time I fly the SAMRC flag outside the shores of South Africa makes me proud. Whether it is when I am invited to speak at international conferences and summits or when I present my work at various international forums, I feel that it is a privilege to be in my position and enjoy what I do at the same time. But one proud moment which stands out is being able to successfully complete South Africa’s first Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-SA). GATS is the gold standard for tobacco control surveys. I was told we had tried for 10 years prior to the recent success which became even more significant by the fact that we beat the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic at that time to make it a success.

What do you do when you are not doing research on tobacco control?

The second personal proudest moment for me was when I first launched my website https://www.catherineegbe.com in December 2021. This is where I try to collate and profile my works. My website also hosts my blog (Dr Cathy’s blog) where I share my professional views on issues in my field or research. I also registered my NPO in 2025 named The Intentional Youth Initiative (TIYI)  Africa which is intended to promote intentionality (focused living) among young people in Africa.

Why is tobacco control research so important?

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease. Tobacco control research is vital because it informs policies that reduce disease, death, and healthcare costs. It identifies effective prevention and cessation strategies, exposes industry tactics, addresses inequities, and guides regulation of emerging products. Such evidence help governments protect public health, save lives, and protect the next generation from a lifetime of nicotine addiction.