From 12 to 15 December 2011 a workshop was held on the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for regional Parties, the Convention Secretariat and WHO to discuss jointly the ongoing developments in the work of the treaty and progress in its implementation at national level. Parties examined how to move ahead in implementing the treaty’s newly adopted guidelines and making use of mechanisms for international cooperation in tobacco control.
Background
Over the past year, many important developments were seen at regional level. Progress in tobacco control legislation has been made in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syrian Arab Republic and United Arab Emirates, focusing on demand-side measures of the WHO FCTC. These developments came in light of earlier guidelines for Article 5.3, 8, 11 and 13 of the WHO FCTC. Regional Parties are encouraged to take steps to include in their national agendas implementation of the newly adopted guidelines.
Parties to the WHO FCTC need to accelerate development of stronger legislation and implementation of the treaty obligations. Although implementation in the area of smoke-free policies, health warnings and taxation policies was seen, the Region continues to have a high prevalence of tobacco use among both adults and youth.
As the Region moves ahead to clarify the details of the Convention, the importance of the political, technical and intersectoral commitment needed at national level to implement the WHO FCTC in its true spirit becomes increasingly apparent. The role of national ambassadors and focal points is extremely important in devising national strategies to ensure this happens. Without this support, the decisions adopted by the Parties will fail to have the necessary impact.
From 12 to 15 December 2011 a workshop was held on the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for regional Parties, the Convention Secretariat and WHO to discuss jointly the ongoing developments in the work of the treaty and progress in its implementation at national level. Parties examined how to move ahead in implementing the treaty’s newly adopted guidelines and making use of mechanisms for international cooperation in tobacco control.
Background
Over the past year, many important developments were seen at regional level. Progress in tobacco control legislation has been made in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syrian Arab Republic and United Arab Emirates, focusing on demand-side measures of the WHO FCTC. These developments came in light of earlier guidelines for Article 5.3, 8, 11 and 13 of the WHO FCTC. Regional Parties are encouraged to take steps to include in their national agendas implementation of the newly adopted guidelines.
Parties to the WHO FCTC need to accelerate development of stronger legislation and implementation of the treaty obligations. Although implementation in the area of smoke-free policies, health warnings and taxation policies was seen, the Region continues to have a high prevalence of tobacco use among both adults and youth.
As the Region moves ahead to clarify the details of the Convention, the importance of the political, technical and intersectoral commitment needed at national level to implement the WHO FCTC in its true spirit becomes increasingly apparent. The role of national ambassadors and focal points is extremely important in devising national strategies to ensure this happens. Without this support, the decisions adopted by the Parties will fail to have the necessary impact.
