Tobacco Control SPC Presentation to Pacific Tobacco Control

Tobacco Control @ SPC Presentation to Pacific Tobacco Control Smokefree Oceania Conference 5 th September 2007 Controlling Non Communicable disease

Challenges and Limitations • Variable levels of political will and commitment to long term planning and funding • Tobacco Control often funded at a low level, without specified in country budget • Limited workforce capacity in PICTs - few people, ‘multitasking’ • Many countries, distributed across a large geographical region • Some countries population (especially young) numbers falling through migration, out of country education • Transport/ travel/ communications, can be prohibitive and creating barriers to networking Controlling Non Communicable disease

Controlling Non Communicable disease

Further Challenges and Limitations • Concerns over inadequacy of evidence base for effective interventions in the Pacific • Data for measuring standard tobacco control indicators e. g. smoking prevalence, other performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation - variable. • Role clarification of different regional/ bilateral and other agencies required – need for alignment and harmonization Controlling Non Communicable disease

% of people who smoke daily (Selected - 7 Pacific countries) Nauru 48. 2% Tokelau 46. 4% Fiji 43% Samoa 34. 6% Cook Islands 33. 3% American Samoa 29. 9% Marshall Islands 20. 8% Source (Available WHO STEPS Surveys as at 2007) Controlling Non Communicable disease

SPC’s Response Controlling Non Communicable disease

SPC has developed a Integrated and comprehensive (NCD) Plan for the Pacific Tobacco & Alcohol Physical Activity Controlling Non Communicable disease Nutrition/ Overweight/ Obesity

SPC’s Strategy • Has been developed with country consultation • Is focused on, and supported by, our member countries in the Pacific • Is to be undertaken in collaboration with regional stakeholders (WHO), PICTS, key donor agencies and other regional partners • Adopts a multi-sectoral approach, based on internationally agreed frameworks and strategies • Is evidence based and cost effective Controlling Non Communicable disease

Key objectives for SPC strategy • Strengthen the development, implementation and evaluation of national tobacco action/ public health /NCD plans • Assist PICTs with the adoption and implementation of international and regional agreements and x country issues • Develop capacity and skills in tobacco control through targeted workforce training • Expand the use of fiscal measures and develop sustainable funding mechanisms • Strengthen tobacco control surveillance systems, research and application of data in conjunction with PICTs and regional partners • Strengthen tobacco control networks in the Pacific Region Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 1: Strengthen the development, implementation and evaluation of national tobacco action/ public health /NCD plans Examples • Work with PICTs to develop and implement long term, comprehensive, evidence based, tobacco control strategies (usually as part of a comprehensive NCD Plan) • Assist PICTs to develop shorter term action plans, where required • Assist with implementation of specific key tobacco control initiatives/projects Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 2: Assist PICTs with the adoption and implementation of international and regional agreements and x country issues Examples • Work with PICTs to assist them meet FCTC obligations • Develop policy/ position papers on issues affecting the region – tax, trade • Identify technical assistance requirements e. g. planning, program implementation, resource development, external technical expertise – legislation, health economics • SPC has worked extensively for continued exclusion of tobacco (and alcohol) from PICTA. Further 2 years exclusion of tobacco until 2009 recently announced Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 3: Develop capacity and skills in tobacco control through targeted workforce training Examples • Planned ‘in country’ provision of NCD coordinator position (role would include tobacco control) • Skill based training – Social Marketing/ Behavioural change training, workshops • Short term placements/attachments assistance to provide external expertise e. g. cessation • Regional and sub regional to regional centres, academic institutions or to SPC • Assistance with regional media advocacy Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 4: Expand the use of fiscal measures and develop sustainable funding mechanisms Examples • Develop comprehensive position paper on sustainable funding mechanisms for NCD prevention and tobacco control • Promote the development of fiscal policies/legislation to fund tobacco control and NCD prevention to ensure sustainable funding mechanisms and Health Promotion Foundations • Provide a means through which Pacific countries can obtain funding from International, Regional & Bi-lateral agencies and global donor initiatives Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 5: Strengthen tobacco control surveillance systems, research and application of data in conjunction with PICTs and regional partners Examples • Encourage the uptake of regular surveillance through STEPS, GYTS, Adult Smoking Survey (WHO) • Encourage collection of other data providing key indicators for tobacco control e. g. compliance with FCTC provisions; enforcement of, smokefree legislation, advertising, sales to minors • Undertake specific research projects – economic burden of tobacco related disease, specific project evaluations • Encourage utilisation of survey and research findings for media advocacy tool, to raise public and key stakeholder awareness Controlling Non Communicable disease

Objective 6: Strengthen tobacco control networks in the Pacific Region Example • In consultation with PICTS develop a funding proposal for a Pacific Tobacco Control Network, and as part of the Network, auspice an biennial/annual face to face meeting for tobacco control Controlling Non Communicable disease

Summary of the role of SPC At Regional level SPC can strengthen; • Regional cooperation and funding streams e. g. develop partnerships and increase harmonization between technical agencies, donor/development partners & PICTs • Regional approaches, x country issues e. g. cross border issues, smuggling, advertising and promotion, Trade issues – PICTA, • Capacity to meet international/ regional requirements e. g FCTC, Tobacco network (or NCD network and annual Pacific meeting) Controlling Non Communicable disease

Summary of the role of SPC Within countries SPC can strengthen; • Development of comprehensive, relevant, appropriate national tobacco /NCD Strategies and Action Plans – thereby building commitment ‘in country’ for sustainable funding mechanisms • Existing work in the Pacific, through provision of evidence based approaches/ best practice and appropriate policy/ positions for the Pacific • Surveillance, M&E, Research • Workforce capacity and development – provision of capacity within country for NCD prevention – including tobacco control • Provide a coordination role to establish a Pacific regional tobacco control (NCD) network Controlling Non Communicable disease

Jeanie. M@spc. int Thank you! Controlling Non Communicable disease