World Health Organization (WHO)
Year(s) : 2008, 2007
Grant Recipient Type : Government
Grantor : World Lung Foundation (WLF)
Project goal : To make progress in tobacco control in the EMRO region.
Direct Grant : No
World Health Organization
Key achievement to date:
Building a strong foundation for accelerated
change in the coming years.
Objective 1: To achieve tobacco
control progress in the EURO region.
Major
accomplishments to date:
- Six WNTD awards given out, including to the Minister of Health of Turkey and the Adviser to the President of Ukraine.
Objective 2: To achieve tobacco
control progress in Poland.
Major
accomplishments to
date:
- Worked with Ministries of Health and Finance to prepare economics of tobacco seminar for policy makers.
- At request of Health
Commission, provided legal comments on proposed
amendment to the current tobacco control law,
with the main emphasis on 100% smoke-free
public and work places. Launched national
three-month education campaign on threats of
tobacco use and passive smoking, and health
promotion among children and teenagers.
- Provided consultation with
Parliament Health Commission for implementation
of smoke-free laws. Worked with Chief
Inspectorate to prepare a smoke-free public
places project grant idea, which has been
accepted for full proposal.
- Working with CTFK and the Bloomberg Foundation, launched the economic report on Poland at seminar in Warsaw
- Proposed amendments to tobacco
control law focused on pictorial warnings and
enforcement of smoking bans in public places.
Official request received from the Ministry of
Health to conduct a mission in advance of a
national capacity assessment. Two grant
projects accepted for negotiations in Round IV.
Economic seminar examined tobacco economics in
the country and discussed topics such as
tobacco tax revenues and smuggling.
Objective 3: Progress in
Russia
Major accomplishments to
date:
- Government approved
accession of Russia to the WHO FCTC. A draft in
English of the Country Tobacco Control Report
for Russia was written and ready for review and
comment.
- Technical regulations for
tobacco products were discussed in the Duma.
Brought together a roundtable of politicians,
NGO representatives and famous athletes to make
a strong public statement about healthy,
smoke-free lifestyles.
- Delegation
from MoH Russia made a visit to the CDC in
Atlanta to discuss GATS
implementation.
- Met with Duma
Health Committee to exchange information and
continue discussions on a permanent basis;
capacity building agreed upon by various
government representatives.
- Smoke-free policies received
strong support as part of initiatives being
considered by government. Duma members and MoH
conducted a study tour to France to examine
French tobacco control policies, and to
establish contacts for tobacco control
consultations.
- Assisted MoH with
two major WHO FCTC sessions (INB2 and COP3).
- Tobacco control in four regions
has been assessed, with strategies recommended.
Objective 4: To achieve tobacco
control progress in Turkey.
Major
accomplishments to
date:
- Provided
significant input on Turkey's law on tobacco
control, which includes virtual ban on smoking
in public places and on advertising, promotions
and sponsorships. The law was adopted by
Parliament in late 2007 and signed by the
President in January 2008.
- National Strategy for Tobacco
Control launched in December 2007 by Prime
Minister with Minister of Health. WHO played a
key role in drafting the strategy.
- Four members of Parliament visited
Ireland to learn about the Irish experience
with smoke-free places.
- Worked with Turkish Tobacco and
Alcohol Regulation Agency and Ministry of
Finance to prepare tax report for Turkey funded
by BI.
- Full proposals to implement
GATS received.
- First phase of 100%
smoke-free public and workplaces legislation
entered into force.
- Published National Tobacco Control Strategy 2008-2012 in Turkish and English.
- Organized training workshops as part of National Quality Survey to evaluate implementation for smoke-free legislation.
- Assisted in a study to analyze the reception among adults of the new 100% smoke-free law and analyzed the data.
- Country Tobacco Control Report finalized and MPOWER translated into Turkish for use by national partners.
- Engagement visit took place in advance of national capacity assessment.
- NPO attended several national and international conferences, and participated in a live TV show to discuss the new smoke-free law.
- GATS field
survey completed.
Objective 5: To achieve tobacco
control progress in Ukraine.
Major
accomplishments to
date:
- Coordinated
multi-sectoral roundtable discussion to begin
planning and coordination for development of a
National Plan of Action for Tobacco Control.
Held strategy workshop to discuss and plan the
coordinated actions in tobacco control for the
coming years.
- Draft proposal for
stronger pictorial health warnings in line with
WHO FCTC provisions was submitted to the
Parliament.
- In preparation for an
upcoming economic seminar, sought collaboration
with the World Bank to effectively engage the
country's Ministry of
Finance.
- Worked with Turkish
Tobacco and Alcohol Regulation Agency and
Ministry of Finance to prepare tax report for
Turkey funded by BI.
- City of Kiev
adopted law restricting smoking in indoor
public places. Held first meeting of organizing
committee of the National Tobacco Control
Conference focused on the implementation of the
National Action Plan for Tobacco Control.
- Russian version of MPOWER printed
and launched in Kiev.
- Parliament increased tobacco excise taxes to almost double their previous rate, with Prime Minister publicly promising to propose another tobacco excise increase.
- While smoke-free
policies adopted by two cities allow for
smoking rooms, initiatives are still seen as
progress in the country context.
- Held WHO FCTC session preparation;
provided assistance in preparing the national
tobacco control program.
- GATS
questionnaire developed and revised.
- Implemented second tax increase for tobacco products in one year. Economics team at HQ provided support for taxation actions.