Daily Programme

Saturday, 21 March

09:00-10:30

Banning flavoured tobacco products - overview of global issues and progress

Tobacco products with candy, fruit, menthol and other flavours are attractive, especially to youth, and increase overall tobacco use. FCTC guidelines recommend restrictions/bans on flavoured tobacco products, thus countering important tobacco industry strategies. Recent legislative developments in the EU, Brazil, the United States, Canada, and other countries have resulted in important progress despite strong tobacco industry opposition. This session will provide an international overview of rationale and experience to support legislated bans on flavoured tobacco products, including menthol.

54

Tobacco industry (TI) monitoring and civil society’s actions to reduce its interference in LAC

TI interference has been identified as the main obstacle for the global implementation of the FCTC. Therefore, it is essential to address this issue to progress in the control of the tobacco epidemic. In 2010, a Latin American, regional, civil society initiative to monitor and respond to this interference was created. Twelve countries of this region work in this project to promote the implementation of Article 5.3 in LAC. In this session we will present civil society’s experience, progress made in the systematization of monitoring actions and strategies to reduce TI interference.

55

Economic aspects of tobacco control: A global perspective

Article 20 of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) emphasizes the need for research on tobacco use and control at the national, regional, and global levels. In particular, more research is needed to assess the impact of tax and price policies; to assess the economic impact of tobacco use and control; and on the nexus between tobacco use and poverty. This session offers a global perspective by presenting evidence from five studies relating to these aspects from a number of countries. The study outcomes can inform policy makers in making tobacco control policy decisions.

Tobacco-free Europe: different roads to the endgame

Various endgame approaches are presented, while discussing their strengths and challenges. Prof. Reijula and Ms. Hara evaluate how to build new approach for long-term success within the Finnish framework. Prof. Clancy outlines investments needed to reach the ambitious goal of Tobacco-Free Ireland 2025. Prof. Amos and Mr. Robertson show how the target of generation free from tobacco by 2034 may be achieved in Scotland. Prof. Willemsen gives general review on the tobacco control in Europe, emphasizing analytical approach to what may be achieved. Mr. Shatenstein serves as a discussant.

Pictorial health warnings: The best buy public health intervention in sustaining community participation

Article 11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) requires Parties to the Convention to implement large, rotating health warnings on all tobacco product packaging and labelling. Pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages are a cost-effective means to increase public awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. Pictorial Health warning is one of the most frequently legally challenged strategies by tobacco industry globally. The symposium aims to discuss and share lessons learnt the effectiveness of pictorial health warning in building public awareness on danger of tobacco use. It would also aim to open a window of opportunity to build policy discussion to establish pictorial health warning in other products such as alcohol.

58

The FCTC: a treaty for all ministries, not only Health (date and time TBC)

When the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was negotiated more than 10 years ago, it was well understood that a whole-of-government approach to tobacco control, involving many ministries besides Health, would be critical to addressing the tobacco epidemic. But establishing effective multi-sectoral coordination for tobacco control is challenging. To date, only a few governments have succeeding in mobilizing whole-of-government support for tobacco control. Luckily, initial steps have been taken to address this serious gap in FCTC implementation.

59

Tobacco farming and tobacco control: Separating myth from reality

Tobacco farming has gained attention in recent years in global tobacco control. The tobacco industry generates controversy about the impact of FCTC implementation on tobacco growers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. After nine years of debate at the FCTC Conference of the Parties, there is still a lack of clarity about the nature of the problem, the solutions, and the time frame for their implementation. This session will explore the determinants of demand for tobacco leaf, likely future trends, working and living conditions of tobacco farmers, and appropriate policy responses.

Eliminating investments in tobacco companies

Easy access to public funds and private investments ensures that tobacco industry can expand into new markets and profit from existing ones. Despite tobacco control efforts, tobacco industry remains profitable. Can responsible investing deter investments in tobacco companies? What are opportunities and challenges that can eliminate these investments? This symposium will review the current investments in the tobacco industry with the view to impact the easy access of funds for the industry, efforts made thus far to deter investments, and how restricting funding can directly halt and reverse the tobacco epidemic.

Increasing reach and effectiveness of tobacco cessation services via quitlines and provider training

PANEL DISCUSSION

Article 14 of the FCTC commits countries to help tobacco users quit via primary care, quitlines and access to low-cost medications. Many countries lack a trained workforce that can deliver treatment tailored to local realities. This panel presentation provides real-world examples from multiple countries of how quitlines are integrated into national strategies for tobacco control, how providers are trained and programs accredited, and related challenges and opportunities. Presenters include developers of quitlines and training programs as well as global leaders implementing these policies and programs.

Saturday, 21 March

14:00-15:30

62

Standardised packaging: tobacco industry counter campaigns in Australia, UK and Ireland

The tobacco companies know standardised packaging will be effective so they are fighting to overturn the first such policy introduced in Australia in December 2012, and running multi-million dollar campaigns to block similar measures from being introduced in Ireland, UK and New Zealand. This symposium will use 3 case studies to analyse their counter-campaigns and share lessons learnt. It will focus on how strategies familiar from other campaigns are being used: front groups; casting doubt on the evidence; using the threat of illicit trade; and the threat of legal action.

63

Human rights-based approach to tobacco control

The human rights based approach (HRBA) to tobacco control provides research, policy and advocacy tools to hold accountable the tobacco industry to the harm it unleashes in several domains. The FCTC was developed from previous human rights treaties -it can be applied more broadly as a HRBA.HRBA intersects with the right to a healthy environment (secondhand smoke; exposure to pesticides or green tobacco sickness); the right to a sustainable income (crops prices; indentured servitude); and the right to information (education).The symposium describes HRBA to analyze abuses and suggest remedies.

64

The implications of the FCTC Article 14 guidelines for treatment policy

In 2010 the Conference of the Parties to the FCTC adopted guidelines for Article 14 of the convention, on tobacco cessation and treatment. These guidelines set out a comprehensive set of recommendations to Parties on how to develop (or further develop) cessation support. In this symposium we will look at progress on treatment to date, what the Article 14 guidelines recommend, and consequently what countries, especially low and middle income countries, might be doing now to develop or enhance their provision of cessation support.

Global smokeless tobacco and public health: Policy and regulatory challenges

PANEL DISCUSSION

The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products has traditionally received less attention compared to smoked tobacco; however, SLT use significantly contributes to the burden of tobacco-related death and disease. This symposium will showcase a summary of key highlights from the NCI and CDC SLT report, Smokeless Tobacco and Public Health: A Global Perspective, as well as findings from the 2013 WHO SLT Survey. A panel of tobacco control experts will then discuss emerging policy scenarios and SLT policy recommendations.

National and regional experience in setting up Tobacco industry monitoring teams in sub-Saharan Africa

The scope of tobacco industry interference in tobacco control policy making in sub-Saharan African countries is huge. Among other strategies, the industry uses direct and indirect political lobbying to hinder the tobacco control legislative process in these countries. Face with this challenge, the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) partnered with in-countries advocates and ministries of health to establish multi-stakeholder platforms tasked to continuously monitor and counter industry interference. ATCA would like to share its successes, challenges and lessons learnt through this process.

67

Reproductive health and tobacco: Considerations for pregnant women and women of childbearing age

Tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy has serious adverse health effects on women and children. The WHO released new guidelines for the management of tobacco use and SHS exposure during pregnancy, and new and non-traditional products, such as electronic nicotine delivery systems and waterpipes, are changing the landscape of tobacco use. Presentations on studies conducted in selected countries will increase our understanding of the use and health effects of the wide variety of tobacco products used during pregnancy.

68

Legal strategies on tobacco control: Strategic litigation as an effective tool

For years the tobacco control community has advocated for the implementation of public policies through the legislative and executive power. However, at some point these strategies might fail and requesting the judicial power to intervene to promote the enforcement or implementation of tobacco control measures (TCM) is an effective strategy. Also, the tobacco industry has changed its strategies to block the implementation of TCM by judicially challenging them. This panel will be focused in sharing different experiences of legal actions, specifically on strategic litigation on tobacco control.

Smoking cessation among populations with chronic disease:  Cancer, HIV and substance use disorder

About 20-70% of patients living with chronic conditions use tobacco and have poorer health outcomes. The 2014 US Surgeon General’s Report concluded that cigarette smoking is related to multiple adverse outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, including increased mortality, risk for second primary cancers and recurrence, poorer response to treatment and increased treatment-related toxicity. Similarly, people with HIV and substance use disorder have a greater likelihood of developing other chronic conditions (including cancers), have poorer response to treatment and die earlier than non-smokers. Quitting smoking improves the prognosis, quality of life and response to treatments of individuals with cancer, HIV and substance use disorder. If Article 14 of the FCTC is to be effective, countries must reach and treat subgroups of these high-prevalence tobacco users. Speakers will provide an overview of tobacco cessation research and treatment in oncology, HIV and substance use disorder settings in the US and resource-limited global settings.

Capital Suite 1

Capital Suite 3

Capital Suite 5

Capital Suite 7