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Transcript of The Bloomberg Global Initiative To Reduce Tobacco Use The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Overview...
The Bloomberg Global InitiativeTo Reduce Tobacco Use
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOverview of Project
Jamaica RI-02, April 2010-June 2011
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) was established in 1971 and is a member of The InterAmerican Heart Foundation and The World Heart Federation. HFJ is involved in prevention programmes for cardiovascular disease. The establishment of The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) was spearheaded by HFJ and was launched on May 31, World No Tobacco Day, 2002.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Current Project Staff
Project Director- Deborah ChenProject Manager- Barbara McGawCommunications Officer- Dawn WilliamsProject Officer Barbados- Nadia AdamsProject Officer Guyana- Darshanand
RampersaudProject Officer T & T- Rosemarie GajarProject Consultant - Beatriz Champagne
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectProject Objectives
The Project’s primary objective is to assist in achieving a strong CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) cigarette labelling standard, and to ensure implementation of the standard or equally strong requirements in four target countries: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Project Objectives
• The Project aims to assist CARICOM to implement rotating pictorial-based warning labels on tobacco products sold in Caribbean countries, of a minimum size of 50% of the top of each main face of the packaging.
• Although the project covers four target countries, other member states of CARICOM will also benefit from this labelling standard.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
The use of health warningsAlthough each country has the authority to regulate tobacco packaging on a national basis, CARICOM has overall authority to develop standards. Although these standards are not legally required, they are customarily adopted by CARICOM countries.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectList of Caribbean countries, population and FCTC ratification status
Country Signature
date Ratification
status % of world population
population
Antigua and Barbuda 28-Jun-04 5-Jun-06 0.001% 85,000
Bahamas 29-Jun-04 3-Nov-09 0.005% 331,000
Barbados 28-Jun-04 3-Nov-05 0.004% 294,000
Belize 26-Sep-03 15-Dec-05 0.004% 288,000
Cuba 29-Jun-04 0.169% 11,268,000
Dominica 29-Jun-04 24-Jul-06 0.001% 67,000
Grenada 29-Jun-04 14-Aug-07 0.002% 106,000
Guyana 15-Sep 2005 0.011% 738,000
Haiti 23-Jul-03 0.144% 9,598,000
Jamaica 24-Sep-03 7-Jul-05 0.041% 2,714,000
Saint Kitts and Nevis 29-Jun-04 0.001% 50,000
Saint Lucia 29-Jun-04 7-Nov-05 0.002% 165,000
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
14-Jun-04 29-Oct-10 0.002% 120,000
Suriname 24-Jun-04 16-Dec-08 0.007% 458,000
Trinidad and Tobago 27-Aug-03 19-Aug-04 0.020% 1,333,000
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
Project oversight and legal responsibility• The HFJ has overall responsibility for
implementation of the project in the four Caribbean countries.
• Contracts were written with each partner NGO and country budgets agreed.
• Funds dispersed and reporting systems as per contract.
• Project audit and site visit from TFK January 2011.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
Project scope• Funding for this project is specifically related to
activities which will ensure the implementation of rotating picture-based package warnings on tobacco products sold in Caribbean countries.
• We have lobbied successfully for approved activities related to accelerating tobacco control legislation and offering technical support through Legal consortium of TFK .
• The HFJ plans to apply for further funding to address the many other important areas related to tobacco control such as SFE and tobacco legislation.
Project Objectives• Objective 1: Build political support and promote
public awareness (civil society) through direct advocacy and media activities targeted at influencing decision makers at a national and regional level
• Objective 2: Support key organisations in the steps needed to implement the GHW and tobacco control policies at a country level
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners
The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc. (HSFB) is a non profit organisation and was founded in 1985. The HSFB is a member of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) for tobacco control.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners
The Guyana Chest Society was established in 1921 for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. It is a non-profit non-governmental organization. It is affiliated with The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners
The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary service organization whose main purpose is to promote the early detection of cancer through screening, education and advocacy. It was established in 1971.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Our Project Partners
The InterAmerican Heart Foundation based in Dallas USA, was established in 1994. Its mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the Americas
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectKey Organisations
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectKey Organisations
CARICOM is the organization of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies, as well as 5 associate members. CARICOM’s main purposes are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, to ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and to coordinate foreign policy.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectKey Organisations
CARICOM has been charged with implementation of this project throughout the region. We work with CARICOM at three levels:
• CARICOM –CROSQ (Caribbean Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality)
• CARICOM – COTED MEETINGS (Council for Trade and Economic Development)
• CARICOM HEALTH SECTOR DEVELOPMENT and COHSOD (The Council For Human And Social Development,)
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
Key OrganisationsREGIONAL MINISTRIES OF HEALTH OF THE TARGET COUNTRIES These Ministries are committed to the project and all Governments have signed the FCTC treaty. All these Ministries have tobacco control activities and programmes but not dedicated staff.
We have built a strong relationship with Minister Ramsammy, MOH of Guyana who is also the head of COHSOD and was the Chairman of the WHA.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectKey Organisations
We have also been working with other organisations such as the Caribbean Cardiac Society, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition-who have both endorsed the project: the Caribbean College of Physicians, the regional and country offices of PAHO/WHO, the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Non-Smokers' Rights Association (Canada).
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in the region with respect to GHW
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General Situation in the region with respect to GHWThe situation leading up to the CROSQ approval of the standards:
• Trinidad’s TC legislation includes provision for a local GHW standard for which the Ministry of Health is responsible.
• Barbados’ series of legislative bills has a provision for GHW as well, though not yet proclaimed.
• Major facilitation from Project for acquisition of required 24 images; images and written Standard submitted to CROSQ.
• As prescribed by CARICOM, CROSQ disseminated the draft Standard to the regional territories for their review and comments.
• CROSQ then submitted it to COTED.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General Situation in the region with respect to GHW The situation since CROSQ submitted the approved standard to COTED
• COTED requires a 100% “yes” vote from members (this is the CARICOM definition of consensus for the two bodies).• Some countries at the CROSQ level voted ‘no’ or abstained from voting.• When COTED met in June 2010, discussion was deferred to next meeting on the grounds that more intra regional discussion was needed, as well as
concerns from the territories where cigarette manufacturing provided significant employment. • Project ascertained the standard would be on the agenda for the next COTED meeting. • Project continues its efforts with CROSQ, CARICOM Health Sector Development unit and the country standards bureau to encourage countries to
change their vote to yes in order to have consensus.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in the region with respect to GHW REGIONAL NEXT STEPS
• CROSQ Council sends Final Draft to COTED, (Hopefully Feb 2011) .
• COTED approval means Final Draft is the recognised Regional Standard.
• COTED returns Standard to CROSQ for editorial review and publication as Regional Standard.
• Each territory will then be responsible for adopting the standard using their national standards process
• Regional Standard disseminated within CARICOM for adoption.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectGeneral situation in the region with respect to GHW JamaicaNEXT STEPS• BSJ Standards Council sends the approved CARICOM standard to the Minister
of Industry, Investment & Commerce for approval as the Jamaican Standard.• Minister signs both a Gazette Notice of (the Order) and a Gazette Order.
Order makes standard mandatory for Jamaica (Notice and Order are also published at same time).
• A three-month official "no objection" period ensues.• Cigarette manufacturers then have a nine-month period to phase out old and
implement new labels.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in the region with respect to GHWBarbadosNEXT STEPS• Draft Standard presented to the Minister of Economic
Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce for endorsement.
• Standard is posted in the official Gazette .• A targeted public awareness campaign ensues, involving
manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers.• Training of technical officers from the Department of
Commerce and Consumers Affairs who have responsibility for enforcement takes place.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in the region with respect to GHWGuyanaNEXT STEPS• CARICOM Draft prepared and submitted to relevant
Committee.• Reviewed and disseminated for public comment.• Public Comments and Final Draft approved by National
Standards Council as the Guyana Standard.• This standard sent with Cabinet Memorandum to Minister
(National Standards Council may publish for sale).• Standard submitted to Cabinet, the final approval body.• Standard is Gazetted and published as the definitive
country Standard.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in the region with respect to GHWTrinidad & TobagoNEXT STEPS• The enactment of the CARICOM standards is the purview of
the Ministry of Health - not the standards bureau.• The regulations governing the implementation of the
standards form part of pending legislation – when enacted, the tobacco industry is legally obligated to put GHWs on cigarette packages.
• The local manufacturers (WITCO) and importers of cigarettes have to conform to the T&T regulations.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
General situation in each of the 4 target countries with respect to tobacco control policy
Country SWOTS
Strengths Strong and successful relationships have been created and developed with
MOH, BNSI, MFA&FT, NCSA, CROSQ, PAHO and other and they are all in support of SFE and a GHW Standard.
CROSQ, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFA&FT) are in support of the GHW Standard and the representatives on the Government level continue to lobby their peers and colleagues within CARICOM and COTED to support the GHW Standard.
The MOH is increasing seeing the Project as a important resource for tobacco control, project hosted sensitization session (on their behalf) for NGOs after the ban on smoking was announced
Project executes ongoing outreach education and programme initiatives to educate the public about GHW and the dangers of smoking
Strong relationships built with the media resulting in several articles in the press and radio and TV interviews highlighting GHW and the dangers of smoking
These relationships have helped the project place timely rebuttals of TI placed misleading articles
Weaknesses Political will is not as strong and robust as it should be to harness
taking the next step of having a GHW standard, Delays in the CARICOM standard have forced the MOH to look at
implementing local standards Accessing the decision makers within the country can be often very
challenging. The momentum for tobacco control is not consistent because Barbados
is seen as not having a large problem, as there are a small number of smokers
The main policing entity for the smoke free law is the Environmental Officers who are not able to police effectively due to their numbers and working hours.
Legislative content as it relates to the legislation on the Ban on Smoking in Public places is at times ambiguous.
Opportunities Maximise the mileage from the recent MOH led ban on smoking in public
places and the banning of sales to minors, to lobby for the implementation of the GHW Standard,
The Barbados legislation entails a series of bills, the GHW standards are included and the project will lobby for them to be proclaimed next
UNGASS summit on CNCDs which will highlight the Caribbean active role in the genesis of this meeting and the increased exposure to tobacco control issues on the region
Maximise relationships with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, a coalition of regional civil society bodies, committed to health and wellness of the region including tobacco control issues
The recent collaboration of the Project, BHTA and MOH in preparing no smoking cards for the nation’s more than 6,000 hotel rooms and 2,500 villa rooms, will help to increase awareness of the dangers of smoking
Assisting the Government and the local PAHO Office in developing, executing and policing initiatives that facilitate the fight against tobacco use and exposure
Threats Constant negative interference from TI from influencing the public with
false and misleading information to pressuring and influencing the local Government in not creating and implementing more effective and comprehensive Smoke Free Laws and GHW.
COTED requires a 100% vote by all members to be in favour of the GHW Standard and the TI has lobbied and greatly influenced several smaller island stated to vote ‘no’ to the standard
SWOT Analysis Caribbean Tobacco Control Project, January 2011 General situation in each of four target countries as regards tobacco control policy Country : Barbados______________________________________________________________________________________
Strengths The Guyana Chest Society work closely with MOH, PAHO and GNBS in a collective effort to
implement stringent and prudent tobacco control interventions in Guyana. The Project continues to place key emphasis on media awareness and sensitisation with
interviews and articles being published in the main newspapers Guyana Government has launched strategic smoke free zones, and the Child Protection Act,
highlighting the awareness of the dangers of tobacco Several effective media awareness campaigns and meetings have been held, such as Guy
Expo which hosted a health village and tobacco exposition Minister of Health, is currently working on preparation of comprehensive tobacco control
legislation with support for CTFK The Project Officer of the Guyana Chest Society plays a key role on the National Tobacco
Control Council. The project is seen as a resource by the MOH and other stakeholders and is frequently
consulted for information or materials to assist in awareness programmes for tobacco control. The Project officer has established an excellent relationship with Dr. Rudolph Cummings,
Program Manager, Health Sector Development at the Caricom Secretariat who is in full support of the CARICM standard and has given his commitment to having the approval of the standard on the next COTED meeting
Weaknesses The lack of an effective multisectoral approach to tobacco control in Guyana. This originates
from the fact that certain key stakeholders including the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce have not responded positively towards implementing the CARICOM standard.
Delays in the CARICOM standard have forced Guyana to look at implementing a local standard
The lack of success in achieving a comprehensive tobacco control legislation that captures broad facets of society and not restricted to partial initiatives.
The lack of measured results as it relates to the effectiveness after the smoke free zones and institutions have been established.
Without substantiated results including the implementation of the long overdue Packaging and labelling standard, media interest and national interest as a whole is bound to diminish.
Opportunities The United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) 2011 which is seen as a victory for the
Caribbean. With Guyana’s Health Minister being one of the most outspoken tobacco critics in the Caribbean region and the CNCDs no.1 contributing factor being tobacco, this has good implications for tobacco control in the region
Within the Caribbean most countries have signed on to the FCTC but are yet to implement some of the most critical articles including ARTICLE 11, Guyana has the potential to be one of the first, thus serving as a model for other countries.
Project has been asked to collaborate with the MOH to design a ME2U campaign for Tobacco Control. The ME2U Campaign is a pledge given by a person coming under the theme “help one, save one from ME to U” in this case it is a pledge to never smoke. It was used successfully in Guyana’s HIV AIDS campaign and attracted some 250,000 pledges.
Threats The tobacco industry always poses a peril, in the interest of the environment, they have
partnered with the Mangrove Restoration Project, which is a national project undertaken to protect Guyana’s very volatile coastline from the ocean. This can send mixed messages to the populace
The lack of effort and cooperation from the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce has hampered the process severely. The Ministry has been unwilling to engage the Chest Society, Ministry of Health and PAHO towards brokering a way forward, to have the draft Guyana cigarette Standard approved. The feeling is that the TI have infiltrated that Ministry successfully
There are organisations and individuals don’t see tobacco a major issue worthy of attention and some are highly placed in Guyana, this will slow the progress of tobacco control activities
SWOT Analysis Caribbean Tobacco Control Project, January 2011 General situation in each of four target countries as regards tobacco control policy Country: Guyana
Strengths Very strong and supportive internal Project relations (Team and NGOs) Good relations with MOH and other partners, including JCTC member
organisations; National Council on Drug Abuse and regional bodies Respect for Project work and partnerships: e.g. CCS issued press release
during 2010 Conference urging implementation of regional GHW Standard
Project seen as regional resource : FCA, Canadian Cancer Society, IAHF requested and received reports on regional TC issues
Strong relations with media – more tobacco control articles published and Project participation in several radio and TV programmes
More requests for Project to address health related but non GHW matters
Strong TC champion in Opposition MP – regular TC messages/advocacy via his radio programme; currently poised to lay own draft SFE bill in Parliament - giving Minister of Health a few more weeks to announce regulation
Weaknesses Jamaica has no tobacco legislation in place despite drafts being
prepared over 5 years ago Lack of will on part of Ministry of Health/ political directorate to
meet FCTC obligations by implementing first SFE and then broader legislation
Project lacks funds to widen its focus from GHW to meet the greater need for public education re SFE as a major benefit to individual and country development
Lack of ongoing funding could result in groundbreaking regional impact regarding tobacco control issues being lost, given the increase awareness around health harms form tobacco use
Opportunities Project’s reach and activities result in wider regional receptivity for
more financial/other assistance The wider outreach is critical for deepening knowledge about health
harms from tobacco use, including rise in NCDs – and Project has continuing role to play in regional advocacy for sustained global attention on those diseases, pre and post the UNGASS in September 2011
Project poised to strengthen relations with key regional organisations such as CROSQ and COHSOD
The regional spread of Project generated more press/other media attention and collaboration
Project’s contribution to GHW images acquisition/other activities good platform for its role in public education re SFE.
Awaiting word on submission to TFK for SFE grant for public
Threats The financial, political and social clout of TI – this is tied to the
regional apathy on TC matters and their infiltration into all sectors of society
The fact that smoking is socially accepted so that many health/medical practitioners and professionals who smoke see this as an individual choice rather than the health menace it is
Lack of national political will to fund and sustain mass media educational campaigns re TC legislation (e.g. current situation in Trinidad and Barbados)
SWOT Analysis Caribbean Tobacco Control Project, January 2011 General situation in each of four target countries as regards tobacco control policy Country: JAMAICA______________________________________________
Strengths The comprehensive Tobacco Control Act 2009 is in place The Ministry of Health (MOH) is making some effort to fulfil its
F.C.T.C. obligations, including the development of national regulations on the labelling of retail tobacco packages and attending the COP4 meeting in Uruguay
The start of the focus group testing on the GHW images has begun and the data will be used by the MOH in implementing the national GHW regulations
Our Project continues to have a strong relationship with its NGO partner, the TT Cancer Society, and other civil society organizations in advocating for a smoke-free Trinidad and Tobago
Our Project continues to be seen as a resource for key organizations involved in tobacco control, including PAHO, the MOH and members of the Framework Convention Alliance
Weaknesses The regulations required to effectively implement the Tobacco
Control Act (including the establishment of a Tobacco Control Unit which to help enforce the law) have not yet been developed
The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards see the implementation of the Standard as a trade issue and continue to vote negatively against it at CROSQ
Since the May 2010 general election in TT, tobacco control has not ranked high on the political or public health agenda (competing with crime, the economy, the dengue outbreak and hospital deaths, for example)
Opportunities There is an opportunity for the Project to facilitate talks with the
Ministries of Health and Trade and the T.T.B.S. re voting positively for the Standard
We are working on developing a closer relationship with key Ministry of Health personnel
There is an excellent chance to develop our media relationship and develop both public and government support for the Standard
The Project will engage in more public outreach events to build support for the GHW and a smoke-free T.T.
Following Project participation at meetings focussed on Chronic Non-Communicable diseases (with HCC, PAHO), we are well-placed to provide support for T.T. participation at the UN Summit in September 2011 and address tobacco use as a major risk factor
Threats The influence of the tobacco industry, which is being felt in
several sectors The packed State legislative agenda, which means there may be
delays in getting the national GHW regulations tabled in Parliament
The reduced budget for the Health Promotions Unit of the Ministry of health, which has seriously impacted on public anti-smoking initiatives
The continued normalcy of tobacco use among too many persons in the society, including young people who sometimes view smoking as a human rights issue
SWOT Analysis Caribbean Tobacco Control Project, January 2011 General situation in each of four target countries as regards tobacco control policy Country: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectNotable achievements
Status of legislation in target countries
COUNTRY TOBACCO LEGISLATION STATUS
Barbados Via regulation, the Minister of Health (Hon. Donville Inniss) effected a ban on smoking in public places on October , 2010; the Project Officer and partner NGO are members of MOH-led public education group. Previously the bill supporting the banning of sales to minors was enacted Jan 28th, 2010.
Guyana There are laws relating to taxation of tobacco products - Guyana has some of the highest taxes on cigarettes products.The Ministries of Health and Education have made all schools No- smoking zones (this includes University of Guyana). MOH is leading discussions for more Smoke-free zones. Consultations are ongoing for comprehensive smoke free legislation – enactment is expected by early 2011; GHW are to be included. To this end, the MOH has received a grant from CTFK to support the preparation of comprehensive tobacco legislation
COUNTRY TOBACCO LEGISLATION STATUSJamaica Promised SFE regulation not announced by Minister of Health in September.
Ronald Thwaites, Opposition MP and TC Champion told Minister said he would have laid his own SFE bill in Parliament on November 16 if MOH continued to delay. The Minister now states mid-February as the new date for SFE
Mr. Thwaites is likely to use relevant sections of TT law and Jamaica’s draft for his SFE submission, possible in early 2011, if this announcement not made
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago passed comprehensive TC legislation in November 2009. However, although the Act contains a "Part IV: Packaging and Labelling", implementation was not spelled out as this and other provisions are subsumed under the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Control Unit which is charged with developing the specific requirements and implementation schedules
In accordance with FCTC Article 11, the Act does say that when implemented, the packaging and labelling regulations have to be adhered to, must be permanently affixed on the packages and must not be obscured, etc.
Based on current Project/Ministry of Health discussions, it appears that the latter will use the images that are being tested in the four Project countries, for the national labels, or re-visit the CARICOM standards
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project
Update on progress under the projects two objectives
• Objective 1: Build political support and promote public awareness (civil society) through direct advocacy and media activities targeted at influencing decision makers at a national and regional level
• Objective 2: Support key organisations in the steps needed to implement the GHW and tobacco control policies at a country level
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectNotable achievements
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectNotable achievements
• Full Project team assembled and in place in four countries (after two staff changes), one training and one project meeting held to date.
• Close working relationships formed with IAHF, MOHs, BOS Jamaica, CROSQ, CARICOM and other key partners.
• Best practice brochure, fact sheet and other key materials prepared and distributed widely .
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Notable achievements
• Increased awareness of project due to advocacy including media workshops, attendance at health fairs, WNTD activities, distribution of key material, meetings with national standards bureaus and members of civil society.
• Strong networking with umbrella trade union organisations and other civil society bodies such as students (secondary & tertiary levels), teachers, NGOs, including presentations on GHW.
BMEX, Barbados April 2010, HSFB/Project Booth
WNTD May 2010 - Barbados
WNTD May 2010 -Jamaica
WNTD Exhibition Guyana, May 2010
WNTD May 2010 Guyana
The Minister of Health T&T presents the PAHO/WHO award for Tobacco Control to TTCS – July 2010
Dawn Williams on IE TV T&T, talks about the project – July 2010
Guyana Expo October 2010 MOH/Project Booth
TOBACCO PRESENTATION AT A POLYCLINIC , BARBADOS, JANUARY 2011
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Notable achievements
Project increasingly being seen as regional resource : • T&T P.O. conducted a survey of tobacco
advertising and promotion practices for the FCA, in preparation of their Tobacco Watch Report , launched at COP-4.
• Canadian Cancer Society requested and received from project, reports on regional TC issues including GHW which were incorporated into their international status report.
• Project submitted data to IAHF for the preparation of a report on TC challenges in LAC, also launched at COP-4
• T&T PO asked by the MOH to submit comments on the country position on the articles to be discussed in COP-4.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Notable achievements
Project increasingly being seen as regional resource : • T&T PO asked by the MOH to attend stakeholders
meeting for the setting up of a tobacco control Unit.
• HSFB and Barbados PO were asked by MOH to host sensitization session for civil society after the smoking ban was enacted.
• Project requested to give technical assistance to new CFTK Latin American Multi-country Project.
• Guyana PO asked by the Minister to partner with MOH to produce a ME2U media campaign for tobacco control.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Notable achievements
• Over 200 media articles and press releases highlighting the project and tobacco generated throughout the region and internationally since April 2010.
• Timely rebuttals of TI placed articles throughout the region, capitalising on excellent relations with media personnel.
The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Notable achievements
• Proposal for research protocol to test graphic images in four countries prepared and completed with the assistance of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
• Testing of graphics started in two countries in November 2010.• Survey data being analyzed by Roswell Park.• Full team sponsored by PAHO to attend the Healthy Caribbean
Coalition meeting entitled “Civil Society Capacity Building Workshop on Chronic Diseases”, October 2010 in Barbados.
• Project members participated in planning the “road map” for the UNGASS on CNCDs with an outcome document.
• T&T PO invited to regional PAHO meeting on NCDs held in T&T and participated in preparing an outcome document similar to the one noted above.
• Project Manager given scholarship to COP-4 in Uruguay• Project Manager able to lend support for 4 Caribbean countries re
key outcomes of COP-4
The team visits the HSFB Offices
Project Director presents on CTCP at the HCC Meeting, October 2010
The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectMedium and long-term regional priorities for tobacco control • All countries prepare comprehensive tobacco
legislation aligned to FCTC treaty.
• Assist with passage of legislation using best practice and technical assistance from donor agencies- special emphasis on smoke free spaces.
• MOHs to have tobacco control as a priority public health issue.
• All countries to sign and ratify FCTC and implement measures.
Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Committed to a Smoke Free Caribbean