The objectives of the webinar are: 

• To raise awareness of the tobacco industry’s destructive practices across the entire product life cycle, including deforestation, water depletion, use of pesticides and tobacco product waste
• To provide clarity on different policy options to counter greenwashing (e.g. Extended Producer Responsibility policies, raise taxes, ban on CSR activities, etc.).

Tobacco control experts and environmental advocates from around the world will join our roundtable discussion to expose the tobacco industry's greenwashing tactics through a series of country case studies from Brazil, France, Nigeria, Spain and Tanzania.

The webinar will be held on Thursday, 12 May 2022, from 13:00 to 14:30 hrs (CET).

For additional information on the event and accessing the registration link, please, click here.
 

The next phase in the implementation of the requirements of the “Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations 2021” comes into force on 11 May 2022.

From 11 May 2022, all manufacturers and importers of vaping products and smokeless tobacco products must ensure that the products they are selling in New Zealand conform to the new packaging regulations. These new packaging regulations are outlined in Part 4 and Part 5 of the “Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations 2021” for smokeless tobacco products and vaping products, respectively.

A new edition of the Tobacco Atlas will be launched on 18 May 2022, with the latest information and statistics on the global tobacco epidemic. Register now for the launch event on 18 May 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. 

Please also check the latest Tobacco Atlas on the following webpage: www.tobaccoatlas.org. The new iteration of the Atlas will also be published here.

Photo courtesy of Hannu Huhtamo

The Tobacco Act of Finland was tightened as the President of the Republic approved the amendments on 13 April 2022. The new amendments include the removal of brand images and logos from the unit packets of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and refill containers, which entails the adoption of a plain packaging for these products. The final aim is to reduce the appeal of tobacco products particularly to young people.

The Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG), an observer to the Conference of the Parties, hosted at the University of Bath, is organizing a course on Tobacco industry monitoring, research and accountability (TIMRA). This will be a comprehensive training in how to monitor and report on tobacco industry activity, particularly aimed at participants from low- and middle-income countries.

The dates of the course are 5 July to 8 July 2022, to be held at the University of Bath.

If you are interested in developing your skills to support the implementation of tobacco control policies in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) we invite you to apply to this course.

The profile from the applicants may cover a civil service,  research or NGO background, but those applying should have a demonstrable commitment to use the monitoring skills developed in their work.

The course will cover:

• how to monitor and investigate the tobacco industry and its activities, using a range of investigative tools and techniques
• how to synthesise and publish rigorous, relevant findings for impact
• how to maximise use by decision-makers, public officials, academics, journalists and others with a stake in effective tobacco control policy development and implementation

The course combines presentations, practical workshops and peer-supported learning. The participants will be working alongside, and taught by, a range of regional and global tobacco control experts, including specialist investigators in the TobaccoTactics team.

More information on this course, including the fees and the availability of a limited number of scholarships available to participants from low- and middle-income countries may be found through this link.

Those interested may apply using this registration form, no later than Sunday, 10 April 2022.

For additional questions, please, do not hesitate to contact the organizers at bath@exposetobacco.org

The Governments of Ghana, Norway and the World Health Organization are hosting the International Strategic Dialogue on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on 12 April 2022. This will take the next decisive step towards comprehensive action on NCDs and achieving SDG 3.4. 

We extend you the invitation to join this event and to hear from the co-hosts, Heads of State and Governments around the world, First Ladies, collaborating partners and people living with NCDs.

The discussion will be focused on ways to:
•    raise the priority of the prevention and control of NCDs in national SDG responses in low- and middle-income countries;
•    unite actors and partners to exchange knowledge on how we achieve SDG Targets 3.4 (NCDs) and 3.8 (UHC); and
•    raise the political visibility of Heads and State playing a global leadership role in the prevention and control of NCDs.

Global inaction on NCDs, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, are creating the very real possibility that SDG Targets 3.4 and 3.8 will not be met. Just 14 countries are on track to achieve SDG Target 3.4, to reduce by one-third the premature mortality of NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being by 2030. Progress towards universal health coverage has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Strategic Dialogue explore:
•    engaging collaborating partners, including people living with NCDs, to build solutions across stakeholders and sectors;
•    accelerating the implementation of the most cost-effective and feasible NCD interventions as identified by WHO;
•    investment in adequate, predictable and sustained resources for the prevention and control of NCDs;
•    align and integrating the NCD agenda within the broader health system and responses to emerging global health threats;
•    how Heads of State and political leaders are standing together as accountable champions for the prioritization of NCDs at the national and global levels.

Additional information can be found in the flyer and concept note below, as well as on this webpage.

Those interested in joining the Dialogue may register by completing this form.

For further queries or more information, please, contact ISDNCD2022@moh.gov.gh or NCDdepartment@who.int 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a Call for Submissions and inviting its Member States to share their experiences on implementing multisectoral actions to strengthen collaboration across government sectors for the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health conditions.

This Call for Submissions is intended to map country-level experiences and select those that will be part of a collection of case studies, showcasing successful approaches in implementing multisectoral actions for further knowledge collaboration and capacity development.

The Call for Submissions is open to all countries until 30 April 2022.

The process to submit applications is through an online platform, responding to a checklist questionnaire. 

Submissions are being sought from all countries; however, examples from low- and middle-income countries are particularly encouraged.  

Government agencies, ministries or equivalent, both from the health sector and beyond are welcomed to send their applications.

All completed and accepted submissions will be showcased in a report, accessible online and disseminated widely through WHO channels and networks.

Further knowledge collaboration and exchange activities will take place to showcase these successful experiences ahead of the preparation to the fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs in 2025.

Those interested can learn more here and access the online questionnaire through this link.

The Convention Secretariat, through the FCTC 2030 Project, is pleased to present a Workshop on Strategic Communication for WHO FCTC Implementation. This is made possible with the generous support of the Governments of Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom. 

Objective: Effective communication for tobacco control policy change requires an understanding of the political and communication environment and the development of clear, consistent and persuasive messages for intended audiences. During this online workshop, various communications approaches to support tobacco control policy-making will be explored.

Course content: This 2-day virtual workshop aims to build the capacity of Parties to the WHO FCTC, in particular countries eligible to receive official development assistance, to plan and deliver effective strategic communications for WHO FCTC implementation. Some of the topics to be covered will include: an overview of the concept of strategic communication, the role of strategic communication in tobacco control, the strategic communication planning process, communication research, as well as technical sessions which will cover tobacco control policy change and key articles of the WHO FCTC.

Target audience: This workshop is designed for WHO FCTC Focal Points, as well as communications officers in Ministries of Health and government officials from other Ministries that support tobacco control.

Those interested may join one of these two workshops (both will deliver the same content), upon registration through the corresponding link:

• Date 1: 

23 and 24 March 2022,  Time: 03h00 – 06h00 (CET) each day

Language: English only

Click HERE to register. Please, register no later than 22 March 2022.

• Date 2: 

5 and 6 April 2022,  Time: 13h30 – 16h30 (CET) each day

Languages: Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Click HERE to register Please, register no later than 4 April 2022.

Find below the promotional brochure, available also in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

For questions, please, contact the Development Assistance team of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC at fctc2030@who.int.

The Convention Secretariat, through the FCTC 2030 Project, and the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation are pleased to present an Introductory Workshop on Tobacco Taxation. This is made possible with the generous support of the Governments of Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom. 

Objective: Tobacco taxation is a very effective and cost-effective policy tool, both from a public health and a fiscal perspective. This workshop will provide an introduction to tobacco taxation, illicit trade in tobacco products and tax modelling. During the workshop, the policy challenges common to tobacco taxation will be explored. 

Course content: This 5-day virtual event aims to support Parties to the WHO FCTC, in particular countries eligible to receive official development assistance, to implement effective tax and price policies as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Topics to be covered will include: the evidence for implementing tax and price measures, economic concepts relevant to tobacco taxation such as demand for tobacco and price elasticity, tax pass-through and affordability, illicit tobacco trade in low- and middle-income countries, how tobacco taxation contributes to sustainable development, and an introduction to tax modelling.  

Target audience: This workshop is designed for policy makers. Government officials from Ministries of Finance and Tax Authorities, Customs and Health are encouraged to join.   

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish. 

• DATES : Monday, 14 March – Friday, 18 March 2022 
• TIME : 14h30-17h30 (GMT+2) each day 

Kindly, please, register no later than 13 March 2022 and the Zoom link will be sent to you before the event. The page to register is available HERE.  

Find below the promotional brochure, available also in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

For questions, please, contact the Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation at tobaccotaxationkh@gmail.com or the Development Assistance team of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC at fctc2030@who.int.