March, 2009 Edition
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ATCRI holds training on Tobacco Control Policy and Advocacy

ATCRI held its first training on tobacco control in Africa, core issues relating to challenges of tobacco control in Africa was discussed as Tobacco control advocates, health practitioners, goverment delegates, and journalists with interest in health and development issues rallied to seek solution to harms of tobacco that has plagued the continent for too long.

Reports in the media have generated interest on the call for action, as arguments on the role of African governments in effecting tobacco control policies and laws to put an end to tobacco usage and smoking formed a major part of deliberation.

Advocates and experts argued that tobacco companies had targeted Africa, especially its youth, to make them addicted to their products and make money out of their illicit and perilous business.

The training was attended by participants from 12 english-speaking African countries including Ghana, Malawi, Liberia and Sierra-Leone. Others include Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Gambia, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. Another training for french-speaking african countries will be held in June 2009.... read more

Click here to view photos from the Accra training

    
  Upcoming Events
   
March 26th-30th - Workshop on Cancer Control Program Planning & Collaborations
June 2009 - ATCRI Training on Tobacco Control Policy and Advocacy - Burkina-faso
June 28th-July 5th - INB3 (Intergovernmental Negotiating Body)
November 11th-14th - AORTIC Conference 2009 in Tanzania

  Important TC Links
   
WHO | Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)
Framework Convention Alliance
American Cancer Society
Cancer Research UK
Environmental Rights Action/FoEN
UICC | International Union Against Cancer
Nigeria National Tobacco Control Bill - Blog
ATCRI Blog
       

Africa get Bloomberg Awards for Tobacco Control

Africa took the center stage this March as Bloomberg Philanthropies announced four recipients of the 2009 Bloomberg Awards for Global Tobacco Control at the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Mumbai, India.

Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FOEN) got the award for monitoring and publicizing tobacco industry activities intended to increase tobacco use and undermine tobacco control efforts. ERA/FOEN has monitored and exposed the marketing activities of the tobacco industry, and they have faced the industry’s numerous attempts to undermine tobacco control policies in Nigeria head-on by exposing the front groups used by the industry to carry out its activities. They have also highlighted unfair practices towards tobacco farmers and indifference to child labor.

The award for excellence in monitoring was accepted by Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Programme Manager, ERA/FOEN. “Sadly, Africa is the newest frontier for tobacco companies.” Mr. Oluwafemi said. “Tobacco companies have mapped out the tender lungs of our youth and women as enormous profit opportunities. This is what ERA/FOEN is dedicated to resisting.” ... read more

Click here to view photos from the Award
 


National Tobacco Control Legislation Update

Mauritius - Mauritius recently ordered that every pack of cigarette should carry pictorial warnings occupying not less than 65 per cent of the display area . This will make it compulsory for tobacco manufacturers to print clear pictures of health hazards caused by smoking on the packs. This is the direct implementation of Article 11 of the FCTC which recommends that tobacco product’s packs must carry visible warnings including pictures to depict hazards of smoking.
 

   

African Initiative Launched in Durban, South Africa

Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI) Seeks to Stem Growing Health Crisis in Tobacco-Related Disease Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa Durban, 12 November -- International leaders in cancer and tobacco control have announced the launch of an unprecedented multinational effort to promote more aggressive tobacco control measures across sub-Saharan Africa. Called The Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI), the effort will seek to promote the adoption, implementation and enforcement of effective in-country tobacco control policies, legislation and programmes.

ATCRI is being supported by Cancer Research UK and American Cancer Society (ACS) and will be hosted by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN). The Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Nnimmo Bassey, said This is an important and long-overdue initiative. There is significant concern that if current smoking
patterns continue, Africa will be faced with the loss of millions of her people to tobacco-related disease within the next few years and also be faced with major infrastructure challenges to manage and treat these chronic diseases...

Click here to view photos from ATCRI Launch

Click here to read more about ATCRI Launch
DR Congo

The Blood Cigarette feeds the war in eastern DR Congo

Several sources, including the latest UN report on the war in the DRC on 10 December 2008 (S/2008/773) have provided evidence that tobacco now maintains the war in DRC and is therefore responsible for hundreds of Thousands of those displaced by war with the consequences of insecurity, violence against women and children, the resurgence of epidemics such as cholera... Read more
Malawi

Teen smoking up in Malawi

Malawian youngsters are ranked number three among 12 African countries currently implementing a tobacco smoking control African situational analysis (ATSA) programme, figures from World Health Organisation revealed this week... Read more