Philippe Boucher's Rendez Vous: Derek Yach
Rendez-vous with Derek Yach
By Philippe Boucher
RENDEZ-VOUS - Friday, February 5, 1999 Rendez-vous with Derek Yach
Thank you Derek for accepting our " rendez-vous ".
May I ask you to introduce yourself ?
I am a Public health professional with qualifications in medicine, public health and especially epidemiology.
I am from South Africa where my work ranged over major public health concerns, including research and advocacy related to tobacco control.
For 3 years I was responsible for coordinating a global consultation to develop a new global health policy for the 21st century and since July, with the appointment of the new DG, Dr Brundtland, I have been leading the Tobacco Free Initiative of WHO: one of 2 initial cabinet projects (with malaria being the other).
First question:
The " Tobacco Free Initiative " was launched in July 1998.
Can you tell us where you are now, 6 months later ?
The fact of TFI is a first achievement and reflects the DG's poltical support for a reinvigorated tobacco control program. Extra resources (funding and people) from within WHO have been mobilized; a number of new international donors have announced support for work including the UN Foundation which is supporting a new UNICEF/WHO project on youth and tobacco that is based in 6 developing countries; high level meetings between the DG and many governments (including for example, the President, Prime Minister and Health Minister of China) have been used to place tobacco control as a priority of governments;
stronger partnerships with the private sector (especially the pharmaceutical industry) have already led new action in support of tobacco control; a global information system is in an advanced phase of planning-it will allow all advocates, policy makers and researchers to access information and expertise easier and effectively on a worldwide basis; stronger and better defined links with NGOs are being developed---all this I believe sets the scene for a stronger more concerted global effort that builds on the work of the past.
2. What will be different six months from now ?
The Executive Board of WHO met at the end of January and decided an accelerated approach to developing a Framework Convention for Tobacco control.
It means more intensive technical and political work over the next 6 to 12months.
Within 6 months, the global information system will be fully operational; new country initiatives in relation to youth and women will be underway within selected countries; new knowledge on the impact of tobacco on children in developing countries will have been synthesised; evolving partnerships will be operational between several key UN partners, NGOs, academic groups and the private sector.
3. In January an " International Consultation on ETS and child health " took place in Geneva. What is it about?
It arises from a resolution of G8 Ministers of the Environment in 1997 about the need for a scientific consultation on ETS and children.
Experts will issue in march a state of the art document that summarises current knowledge about the effects of ETS on child health and recommend interventions and actions to prevent exposure.
G8 countries and a number of developing countries will also define a research agenda to fill gaps in knowledge.
Importantly, the meeting was co-hosted by WHO and the USA EPA.
At this stage we can say that experts defined areas of agreement re the effects of ETS on child health and concluded that the very significant health effects demanded urgent action on many policy fronts.
4. Visiting the pages on Tobacco Free Initiative on WHO's website I read something about radio programs.
Do you intend to promote tobacco control radio programs worldwide ?
We are developing a proposal to do this with UN Radio, commercial radio stations in a way in which our regional offices will play a particularly key role.
Watch this space for action!
5. You just announced a partnership with pharmaceutical companies.
Some people voiced concerns that this could tip the balance toward cessation efforts (versus more political initiatives) and push for a "medicalisation" of quitting attempts.
What is your opinion?
WHO entered into the relationship with the pharmaceutical industry as part of a wider strategy of building strong, multidisciplinary partnerships needed to support global comprehensive tobacco control efforts.
International financial support for tobacco control has been minimal.
This initiative, even though modest, sends a signal to all possible partners that WHO is serious about tobacco control--it is a call for substantially increased support for tobacco control by governments, private sector and Foundations.
It should not divert WHO from its deep committment to a comprehensive approach to tobacco control. Rather it helps focus some attention on a rather neglected aspect: cessation.
An area where gains for health are possible in the short to medium term.
What you feel like adding :
The Resolution goes to the full World Health Assembly in May.
It will be essential for all NGOs to encourage their governments to strongly support it!
We'll reproduce the full text of the resolution that you gave us.
I am sure you can count on Globalink members to support your efforts.
Thank you for taking the time to be with us today.
EB103.R11 Towards a WHO framework convention on tobacco control
103rd Session EB103.R11
Agenda item 3 29 January 1999
Towards a WHO framework convention on tobacco control
The Executive Board,
Recognizing the leadership of WHO in the field of tobacco control, and having considered the report of the Director-General on the Tobacco Free Initiative 1 and the outline of expected activities, 2
RECOMMENDS to the Fifty-second World Health Assembly, the adoption of the following resolution:
The Fifty-second World Health Assembly,
Being deeply concerned by the escalation of smoking and other forms of tobacco use worldwide, which resulted in the loss of at least 3.5 million human lives in 1998 and is expected to cause at least 10 million deaths a year by 2030, with 70% of these deaths occurring in developing countries if the pandemic is not controlled;
Having considered the report of the Director-General on the Tobacco Free Initiative and the outline of expected activities (annexed);2
Recognizing the leadership of the Director-General and WHO in the field of tobacco control;
Recalling and reaffirming resolution WHA49.17 requesting the Director-General to initiate development of a WHO framework convention on tobacco control in accordance with Article 19 of the WHO Constitution;
Recognizing the need for multisectoral strategies, including the involvement of other multilateral organizations and nongovernmental organizations, to foster international consensus and action on development of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols;
Being mindful of the many constraints, including resource constraints, faced by a number of countries in the development and implementation of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols; Being mindful of the fact that tobacco production is a significant source of earnings in many developing countries;
Being aware of the urgent need to speed up work on the proposed WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols so that they may serve as a basis for multilateral cooperation and collective action on tobacco control;
Desiring to complete preparation of the draft text of the framework convention for consideration by the Fifty-sixth World Health Assembly;
1. DECIDES:
(1) in accordance with Rule 42 of its Rules of Procedure, to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body open to all Member States to draft and negotiate the proposed WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols;
(2) to establish a working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control open to all Member States in order to prepare the work of the body referred to above. This group will prepare proposed draft elements of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control. The working group will report on progress to the Executive Board at its 105th session. It will complete its work and submit a report to the Fifty-third World Health Assembly.
2. URGES Member States:
(1) to give high priority to accelerating work on development of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols;
(2) to provide resources and cooperation necessary to accelerate the work;
(3) to promote intergovernmental consultations to address specific issues, for example, public health matters and other technical matters relating to negotiation of the proposed WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols;
(4) to establish national commissions for the WHO framework convention on tobacco control where appropriate;
(5) to facilitate and support the participation of nongovernmental organizations, recognizing the need for multisectoral representation;
(6) to consider further development and strengthening of national and regional tobacco policies, including the appropriate use of regulatory programmes to reduce tobacco use, as contributions to development of the framework convention and possible related protocols;
3. REQUESTS the Director-General:
(1) to promote support for development of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols among Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental, nongovernmental and voluntary organizations, and the media;
(2) to complete the Organization's technical work required to facilitate negotiations on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols;
(3) to convene the working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and the first meeting of the intergovernmental negotiating body based on progress achieved by the working group;
(4) to provide the working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and the intergovernmental negotiating body with the necessary services and facilities for the performance of their work;
(5) to facilitate the participation of the least developed countries in the work of the working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control, in intergovernmental technical consultations and in the intergovernmental negotiating body;
(6) to invite, as observers to the sessions of the working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and the intergovernmental negotiating body, representatives of non-Member States, of liberation movements referred to in resolution WHA27.37, of organizations of the United Nations system, of intergovernmental organizations with which WHO has established effective relations, and of nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO, who will attend the sessions of those bodies in accordance with the relevant Rules of Procedure and resolutions of the Health Assembly.
Tenth meeting, 29 January 1999 EB103/SR/10
ANNEX OUTLINE OF EXPECTED ACTIVITIES January 1999 to May 2000 (completion of prenegotiation phase), and targets for negotiation and adoption of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control and possible related protocols (May 2000 to May 2003)
Milestones Governing and subsidiary bodies Decision and actions by governing and subsidiary bodies Actions by the Secretariat
January 1999
Executive Board
* Recommend for adoption by the Fifty-second World Health Assembly the resolution Towards a WHO framework convention on tobacco control
After the 103rd session of the Executive Board
* Disseminate information on the process for developing the framework convention
* For the Fifty-second World Health Assembly, prepare briefing document(s) on the process
* Hold consultations with Member States
May 1999
Fifty-second World Health Assembly
* Consider the draft resolution Towards a WHO framework convention on tobacco control
* Establish the intergovernmental negotiating body and the working group on the framework convention on tobacco control
* Hold briefing sessions on the framework convention during the Fifty-second World Health Assembly
After the Fifty-second World Health Assembly
* Support intergovernmental technical consultations on the framework convention
* Facilitate participation of least developed countries in the process for developing the framework convention
* Provide technical support
May 1999 to January 2000
Working group on the framework convention
* Initiate preparation of proposed draft elements of the WHO framework convention on tobacco control
* Convene the working group on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control
* Provide technical support
January 2000
Working group on the framework convention
Executive Board
* Submit progress report of the working group on the framework convention to the Executive Board at its 105th session
* Consider the progress of the working group
* Provide technical support
January 2000 to May 2000
Working group on the framework convention
* Continue work based on direction from the Executive Board
* Provide technical support
May 2000
Fifty-third World Health Assembly
* Submit report of the working group on the framework convention to the Fifty-third World Health Assembly
* Hold technical briefing during the Health Assembly on alternative negotiation processes
May 2000 (target date)
Intergovernmental negotiating body
* Hold the first organizational session
* Convene the first meeting of the intergovernmental negotiating body based on progress achieved by the working group
May 2000 to May 2003 (Target date for adoption) Intergovernmental negotiating body
* Negotiate the draft framework convention and possible related protocols
* Provide technical support
Note: Process and content will be driven primarily by Member States, but will also include input from bodies of the United Nations system, other international, regional, or intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations.
Prepared by Philippe Boucher mailto:IslandErsk@aol.com
***********************
Go To: Tobacco BBS HomePage / Resources Page / Health Page / Documents Page / Culture Page / Activism Page
***********************
***********************
END OF DOCUMENT