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Written By: Admin | Updated : September 30, 2013 10:42 PM IST
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, together with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY) inaugurated the 'International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco' in the presence of Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) and over 500 participants from more than 55 countries in New Delhi.A first of its kind in India, the international conference will focus on developing multi-sectoral partnerships and taking tobacco control beyond health sector, integrating it with the global development goals and appropriate treatment under trade agreements and treaties. (Read: Are we ready for a tobacco-free world?)
Through a recorded video message, Dr Manmohan Singh, in his address to the conference delegates highlighted that 'Tobacco control calls for a combination of political and public health action to drive down both demand and supply of tobacco. India is a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) hence is firmly committed to the vision of a tobacco free society. As we act with conviction and commitment to eliminate tobacco as a threat to human health, I am sure this conference will contribute substantially to developing implementable and impactful strategies for stamping out tobacco as a danger to our collective future.'
India's Health Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was also the Chief Guest at the conference, said, 'India has the highest number of smokeless tobacco users in the world. India's recent ban on Gutkha in 33 of the 35 states and union territories is a definite step towards achieving tobacco endgame. The Government of India is working towards integrating the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) with the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). India is keenly observing global developments such as plain packaging of tobacco products adopted by Australia and the policy debates on tobacco free future generations and endgame objectives adopted by Finland. India shall do whatever it can to partner WHO and international community to precipitate the endgame and secure a healthy and disease free future for the global youth. I am sure that with former cricket captain of India, Rahul Dravid, agreeing to be Health Ministry's Ambassador for tobacco control, we will be able to catch the attention of a large number of sport loving people.' (Read: World No Tobacco Day 2013: Are you being manipulated?)
Speaking at the event, WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan, said, 'In 41 countries that adopted at least one highest-level MPOWER measure, the estimated number of smokers dropped by 14.8 million, averting a total of 7.4 million smoking-attributable deaths. Endgame strategies threaten the very existence of the tobacco industry they deserve it. However, in your implementation of a tobacco endgame, expect a well-orchestrated, well-funded and aggressive resistance every step along the way. Industry will challenge the science, distort the findings, or fund its own studies with a predictable bias. Tobacco control requires cooperation from multiple sectors of government, from trade, finance, agriculture, education, law enforcement, and the judicial system. Full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control would deal the greatest single preventive blow to non-communicable diseases.'
