Friday, February 5, 1999
Thank you Derek for accepting our " rendez-vous ". May I ask you to introduce yourself ?
I am a Public health professional with qualifications in medicine, public health and especially epidemiology.
I am from South Africa where my work ranged over major public health concerns, including research and advocacy related to tobacco control.
For 3 years I was responsible for coordinating a global consultation to develop a new global health policy for the 21st century and since July, with the appointment of the new DG, Dr Brundtland, I have been leading the Tobacco Free Initiative of WHO: one of 2 initial cabinet projects (with malaria being the other).
1. The " Tobacco Free Initiative " was launched in July 1998. Can you tell us where you are now, 6 months later ?
The fact of TFI is a first achievement and reflects the DG's poltical support for a reinvigorated tobacco control program. Extra resources (funding and people) from within WHO have been mobilized; a number of new international donors have announced support for work including the UN Foundation which is supporting a new UNICEF/WHO project on youth and tobacco that is based in 6 developing countries; high level meetings between the DG and many governments (including for example, the President, Prime Minister and Health Minister of China) have been used to place tobacco control as a priority of governments;
stronger partnerships with the private sector (especially the pharmaceutical industry) have already led new action in support of tobacco control; a global information system is in an advanced phase of planning-it will allow all advocates, policy makers and researchers to access information and expertise easier and effectively on a worldwide basis; stronger and better defined links with NGOs are being developed---all this I believe sets the scene for a stronger more concerted global effort that builds on the work of the past.
2. What will be different six months from now ?
The Executive Board of WHO met at the end of January and decided an accelerated approach to developing a Framework Convention for Tobacco control.
It means more intensive technical and political work over the next 6 to 12months.
Within 6 months, the global information system will be fully operational; new country initiatives in relation to youth and women will be underway within selected countries; new knowledge on the impact of tobacco on children in developing countries will have been synthesised; evolving partnerships will be operational between several key UN partners, NGOs, academic groups and the private sector.
3. In January an " International Consultation on ETS and child health " took place in Geneva. What is it about?
It arises from a resolution of G8 Ministers of the Environment in 1997 about the need for a scientific consultation on ETS and children.
Experts will issue in march a state of the art document that summarises current knowledge about the effects of ETS on child health and recommend interventions and actions to prevent exposure.
G8 countries and a number of developing countries will also define a research agenda to fill gaps in knowledge.
Importantly, the meeting was co-hosted by WHO and the USA EPA.
At this stage we can say that experts defined areas of agreement re the effects of ETS on child health and concluded that the very significant health effects demanded urgent action on many policy fronts.
4. Visiting the pages on Tobacco Free Initiative on WHO's website I read something about radio programs. Do you intend to promote tobacco control radio programs worldwide ?
We are developing a proposal to do this with UN Radio, commercial radio stations in a way in which our regional offices will play a particularly key role.
Watch this space for action!
5. You just announced a partnership with pharmaceutical companies. Some people voiced concerns that this could tip the balance toward cessation efforts (versus more political initiatives) and push for a "medicalisation" of quitting attempts. What is your opinion?
WHO entered into the relationship with the pharmaceutical industry as part of a wider strategy of building strong, multidisciplinary partnerships needed to support global comprehensive tobacco control efforts.
International financial support for tobacco control has been minimal.
This initiative, even though modest, sends a signal to all possible partners that WHO is serious about tobacco control--it is a call for substantially increased support for tobacco control by governments, private sector and Foundations.
It should not divert WHO from its deep commitment to a comprehensive approach to tobacco control. Rather it helps focus some attention on a rather neglected aspect: cessation.
An area where gains for health are possible in the short to medium term.
What you feel like adding :
The Resolution goes to the full World Health Assembly in May.
It will be essential for all NGOs to encourage their governments to strongly support it!
We'll reproduce the full text of the resolution that you gave us.
I am sure you can count on Globalink members to support your efforts.
Thank you Derek for taking the time to be with us today.
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