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Strengthening multisectoral action for tobacco control in the Region of the Americas

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Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), with the support of the WHO FCTC Secretariat – FCTC 2030 Project through funds from the UK Government, with the collaboration of UNDP and the FCTC Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3.

Five virtual sessions from 12 March to 23 March 2021

The WHO FCTC article 5 establishes provisions on general obligations for the WHO FCTC Parties. Article 5 sections 1 and 2 are related to developing and implementing comprehensive multisectoral national tobacco control strategies, plans and programmes for tobacco control; establishing or reinforcing national coordinating mechanisms; as well as adopting and implementing effective legislative, executive, administrative and/or other measures for preventing and reducing tobacco consumption, nicotine addiction and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Article 5 section 3 has to do with protecting public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry. These key aspects will be discussed during the virtual meeting, by means of reviewing available tools as well as learning from experiences of several countries across the Region of the Americas.

Purpose

The purpose of the virtual meeting is to increase capacity to strengthen implementation of Article 5 (sections 1, 2 and 3) of the WHO FCTC in the Region of the Americas, specifically in low and middle-income (LMIC) Parties.

Objective

The objective of the virtual meeting is to foster intersectoral policy coherence on tobacco control by supporting the development and adoption of multisectoral strategies and programs, the establishment of multisectoral coordinating mechanisms for tobacco control and the adoption of measures to protect policies from tobacco industry interference (WHO FCTC Article 5, sections 1, 2 and 3).

Taking advantage of the virtual format, all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Latin America (LA) WHO FCTC Parties and PAHO Member States non-Parties to the WHO FCTC will be invited to participate. The activity is designed to prioritize LMIC Parties in the Americas.

*Please make sure you have the latest version of Zoom downloaded to your device (computer or smartphone) for simultaneous interpretation services*

The meeting is comprised of five virtual sessions starting 12 March until 23 March 2021, lasting three hours each. 

Below the video you can find further information regarding each session.

Welcome Video for Regional Session

Topics and agendas for all five sessions

Regional Session

  • Day: Friday, 12 March 2021
  • Time: 11:00 am EST, Washington DC [click here for your time zone]
  • Duration: 3 hours

This session will be subregional in scope and provide an overview of the WHO FCTC Article 5 (sections 1, 2 and 3), including progress, lessons learned and challenges in the Americas. This initial session will be regional in scope, including participation of CARICOM and LA Parties.

 

Simultaneous interpretation (English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) will be provided.

Agenda for Session 1

11:00 - 11:15 Welcome (Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO)

  • Opening remarks
    • Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Assistant Director, PAHO (video)
    • Dr. Adriana Blanco, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC
    • Mr. Matthew Birkenshaw, Department of Health and Social Care – UK 
  • Overview of the training
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO

11:15 - 11:20 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

11:20 - 11:50 Tobacco control: Global and regional governance

  • The WHO FCTC and the Global strategy to accelerate tobacco control 2019-2025
    • Ms. Yoni Dekker and Mr. Kelvin Khow, Secretariat of the WHO FCTC
  • Strategy and Plan of action to strengthen tobacco control in the Region of the Americas 2018-2022
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO

11:50 - 12:10 Introduction to the WHO FCTC article 5 (sections 1 and 2)

  • Developing national strategies and plans and establishing multisectorial coordinating mechanisms on tobacco control
  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.1 of WHO FCTC
  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.2(a) of WHO FCTC
    • Mr. Roy Small, UNDP

12:10 - 12:30 Introduction to the WHO FCTC article 5 (section 3)

  • Tobacco industry interference tactics at the global and regional level
    • Video by the WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3
  • Protecting policies from tobacco industry interference: introduction to the WHO FCTC article 5.3 and its guidelines 
    • Ms. Debby Sy, WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 

12:30 - 12:40 Q&A, PAHO

12:40 - 12:45 Break

12:45 - 13:45 Panel: Country experiences

  • Format: Pre-recorded videos by the panelists lasting 5 minutes will be presented, then they will be available for a 30-minute live panel
  • Moderators: Ms. Juana Cooke, UNDP and Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO
  • Colombia: national policy instruments that address tobacco control
  • Mexico: national coordinating mechanism on tobacco control
  • Antigua and Barbuda: national legislation on WHO FCTC articles 5.2 (national coordinating mechanism), 5.3 (tobacco industry interference) and 15 (illicit trade)
  • Brazil: experience on establishing the national coordinating mechanism (CONICQ) and facing the challenges to stopping the tobacco industry interference

13:45 - 13:50 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

13:50 - 14:00 Invitation to next sessions

  • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO
  • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

CARICOM Session

  • Day: Tuesday, 16 March 2021
  • Time: 10:00am EST, Washington DC [click here for your time zone]
  • Duration: 3 hours

This session will be subregional in scope and provide further information on the WHO FCTC Article 5 (sections 1 and 2), including a panorama of country efforts, specifically Guyana and Suriname, challenges faced, and tools for developing country plans.

 

Simultaneous interpretation (English and French) will be provided.

Agenda for Session 2

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome (Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO)

  • Opening remarks
    • Dr. Anselm Hennis, Director NMH, PAHO
    • Mr Andrew Black, Secretariat of the WHO FCTC
    • Mr. Fernando Jacome, MOP President
  • Objectives of the session
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO

10:15 - 10:20 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

10:20 - 10:40 Developing national strategies and plans and establishing a national multisectoral coordinating mechanism

  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.1 of WHO FCTC
  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.2(a) of WHO FCTC
    • Mr. Daniel Grafton, UNDP

10:40 - 11:40 Panel: Country experiences

  • Format: Presenters will pre-record 5-minute remarks and then participate in a 30-minute live panel
  • Moderator: Dr. Elisa Prieto, NMH Advisor, PAHO - CPC
  • Guyana: Including provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.2 (Tobacco Control Council) in the Tobacco Control Act 2017 Part III, 4 – 10
  • Suriname: Implementing the Tobacco Act 2013 article 19 (Bureau to discourage the use of tobacco) 
  • Establishing national commissions on NCDs in the Caribbean: Lessons learned
    • Healthy Caribbean Coalition (TBC)
  • National tobacco control strategy in the UK 
    • Ms. Harriet Weston-Harris, Department of Health and Social Care – UK 
  • Final thoughts (5 minutes): Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, Programme Manager, Health Sector Development, Directorate of Human and Social Development, CARICOM

11:40 - 11:45 Break

11:45 - 12:05 Overview of countries’ efforts in developing national strategies and plans and establishing multisectorial coordinating mechanisms on tobacco control (WHO FCTC article 5.1 and 5.2)

  • Subregional panorama
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO
    • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

12:05 - 12:35 Working groups

  • Establishing a National Coordinating Mechanism, based in the Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.2(a) of the WHO FCTC
  • Developing and adopting a Biannual Multisectoral Plan or Strategy, based on the Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen Tobacco Control in the Region of the Americas 2018-2022
  • Facilitators: Mr. Daniel Grafton, UNDP and Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO

12:35 - 12:40 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

12:40 - 12:50 Update on World No Tobacco Day, 2021

12:50 - 13:00 Conclusions and next steps

  • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO 
  • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO

 

CARICOM Session

  • Day: Wednesday, 17 March 2021
  • Time: 10:00am EST, Washington DC [click here for your time zone]
  • Duration: 3 hours

This session will be subregional in scope and provide further information on the WHO FCTC Article 5 (sections 1 and 2), including a panorama of country efforts, specifically Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada, challenges faced, and tools for developing country plans.

Simultaneous interpretation (English and French) will be provided.

Agenda for Session 3

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome

  • Objectives of the session
    • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO

10:15 - 10:20 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

10:20 - 10:45 Tobacco industry interference

  • Tobacco industry interference tactics at the global and regional level
    • Video by the WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 
  • Tobacco industry interference tactics in the Caribbean countries
    • Ms. Barbara McGaw, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

10:45 - 11:45 Panel: Country experiences

  • Format: Pre-recorded videos by the panelists lasting 5 minutes will be presented, then they will be available for a 30-minute live panel
  • Moderator: Dr. Elisa Prieto, NMH Advisor, PAHO - CPC
  • Jamaica: Including provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.3 in the national tobacco control bill (2020) under development
  • Guyana: Implementing the Tobacco Control Act 2017 (provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.3) 
  • Grenada: Including provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.3 in the draft national tobacco control bill (2019) 
  • Implementation of the WHO FCTC Article 5.3 in the UK, including for overseas diplomatic posts
    • Ms. Alison Walker, Department of Health and Social Care – UK
  • Final thoughts (5 minutes each):Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, Programme Manager, Health Sector Development, Directorate of Human and Social Development, CARICOM Representative;and Mr. Gustavo Sóñora, Director of Tobacco Control for Latin America, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)

11:45 - 11:50 Break

11:50 - 12:05 Overview of countries’ efforts in strengthening of capacity in terms of public policies to counter the tobacco industry interference (WHO FCTC art. 5.3)

  • Subregional panorama
    • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO
    • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO

12:05 - 12:30 Working groups

  • Drafting a protocol for managing conflict of interest and interactions with the tobacco industry
    • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 
    • Ms. Debby Sy and Ms. Laura Salgado, WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3

12:30 - 12:40 Q&A, PAHO

12:40 - 12:45 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

12:45 - 13:00 Conclusions and end of the meeting

  • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO 
  • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO 
  • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 
  • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

 

Latin America Session

  • Day: Friday, 19 March 2021
  • Time: 10:00am EST, Washington DC [click here for your time zone]
  • Duration: 3 hours

This session will be subregional in scope and provide further information on the WHO FCTC Article 5 (sections 1 and 2), including a panorama of country efforts, specifically Costa Rica, Bolivia and El Salvador, challenges faced, and tools for developing country plans.

Simultaneous interpretation (English, Portuguese and Spanish) will be provided.

Agenda for Session 4

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome (Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO)

  • Opening remarks
    • Mr. Andrew Black, Secretariat of the WHO FCTC
    • Dr. Reina Roa, COP Bureau AMRO Representative 
  • Objectives of the session
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO

10:15 - 10:20 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

10:20 - 10:40 Developing national strategies and plans and establishing a national multisectoral coordinating mechanism

  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.1 of WHO FCTC
  • Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.2(a) of WHO FCTC
    • Ms. Emily Roberts, UNDP 

10:40 - 11:40 Panel: Country experiences

  • Format: Pre-recorded videos by the panelists lasting 5 minutes will be presented, then they will be available for a 30-minute live panel
  • Moderators: Dr. Enrique Gil, NMH Advisor, PAHO - SAM and Dr. Luis Francisco Sánchez, Health Determinants Advisor, PAHO - CAM 
  • Costa Rica: Including provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.1 and 5.2 in the general law for the control of tobacco and its harmful effects on health, Legislative Decree No. 9028, articles 3 and 20
  • Bolivia: Including provisions on the WHO FCTC article 5.1 and 5.2 in the law No. 1280 on prevention an control of the consumption of tobacco products, articles 8, 20 and 26 
  • El Salvador: Other health-related national mechanisms as reference for developing the national coordinating mechanism on tobacco control 
  • Final thoughts (5 minutes): Dr. Eduardo Bianco, Framework Convention Alliance Regional Coordinator for the Americas (TBC)

11:40 - 11:45 Break

11:45 - 12:05 Overview of countries’ efforts in developing national strategies and plans and establishing multisectorial coordinating mechanisms on tobacco control (WHO FCTC 5.1 and 5.2)

  • Subregional panorama
    • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH
    • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

12:05 - 12:35 Working groups

  • Establishing a National Coordinating Mechanism, based in the Toolkit for Parties to implement article 5.2(a) of the WHO FCTC
  • Developing and adopting a Biannual Multisectoral Plan or Strategy, based on the Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen Tobacco Control in the Region of the Americas 2018-2022
    • Ms. Emily Roberts, UNDP (TBC)
    • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO

12:35 - 12:40 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

12:40 - 12:50 Update on World No Tobacco Day, 2021

12:50 - 13:00 Conclusions and next steps

  • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO 
  • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

 

Latin America Session

  • Day: Tuesday, 23 March 2021
  • Time: 10:00am EST, Washington DC [click here for your time zone]
  • Duration: 3 hours

This session will be subregional in scope and provide further information on the WHO FCTC Article 5 (sections 1 and 2), including a panorama of country efforts, specifically Uruguay, Chile, Uruguay and Panama, challenges faced, and tools for developing country plans.

Simultaneous interpretation (English, Portuguese and Spanish) will be provided.

Agenda for Session 5

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome

  • Objectives of the session
    • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO 

10:15 - 10:20 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

10:20 - 10:45 Tobacco industry interference

  • Tobacco industry interference tactics at the global and regional level
    • Video by the WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 
  • Tobacco industry interference tactics in the Latin American countries
    • Mr. Daniel Dorado, Director of Policy Organizing, Latin America & International, Corporate Accountability
    • Ms. Laura Salgado, Global Campaign Coordinator, Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco  Control (GGTC), a partner in STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog

10:45 - 11:45 Panel: Country experiences

  • Format: Pre-recorded videos by the panelists lasting 5 minutes will be presented, then they will be available for a 30-minute live panel
  • Moderators: Dr. Enrique Gil, NMH Advisor, PAHO - SAM and Dr. Luis Francisco Sánchez, Health Determinants Advisor, PAHO - CAM 
  • Ecuador: MOH leadership in revoking agreement between the tobacco industry and the national customs agency
  • Chile: Opportunities to progress towards implementation of WHO FCTC article 5.3 
  • Uruguay and Panama: Experience on litigation
  • Final thoughts (5 minutes): Ms. Patricia Sosa, Regional Advocacy Director, CTFK (TBC)

11:45 - 11:50 Break

11:50 - 12:05 Overview of countries’ efforts in strengthening of capacity in terms of public health policies to counter the tobacco industry interference (WHO FCTC art. 5.3)

  • Subregional panorama
    • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor
    • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO  

12:05 - 12:30 Working groups

  • Drafting a protocol for managing conflict of interest and interactions with the tobacco industry
    • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO
    • Ms. Debby Sy and Ms. Laura Salgado, WHO FCTC Secretariat’s Knowledge Hub for Article 5.3 

12:30 - 12:40 Q&A, PAHO

12:40 - 12:45 Pop-up quiz, PAHO

12:45 - 13:00 Conclusions and end of the meeting

  • Dr. Francisco Armada, Tobacco Control Advisor, PAHO
  • Ms. Rosa Sandoval, Unit Chief a.i., RFN/NMH, PAHO 
  • Mr. Daniel Lopez, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 
  • Ms. Diana Ceron, Tobacco Control Consultant, PAHO 

 

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