Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes individuals and organizations in each WHO region for its important contributions to tobacco control with the WHO Director-General Special Recognition and World No Tobacco Day awards.
In the Western Pacific Region, five awardees have been selected to receive 2023 World No Tobacco Day awards in recognition of their outstanding work in tobacco control.
Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, Cambodia
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia has shown remarkable leadership in implementing effective tobacco control measures. In 2000, prior to the adoption of the country’s Law on Tobacco Control in 2015, the Ministry became the country’s first to issue a circular prohibiting smoking in educational facilities. The prohibition has helped protect millions of students and teachers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
The Ministry has been at the forefront of preventing tobacco industry interference in Cambodia. In 2018, the Ministry issued a circular banning tobacco sale, displays and sponsorships on educational premises – an instrumental step in protecting young people from the tobacco industry’s insidious marketing tactics. Another significant step occurred in 2021, when the Ministry issued a circular prohibiting partnership between the education system and the tobacco industry. These steps highlight Cambodia’s commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji Revenue and Customs Services, and Fiji Police Force (joint), Fiji
Collaborative efforts among the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji Revenue and Customs Services and Fiji Police Force have led to significant improvements in capacity to enforce tobacco control laws at both subnational and national levels through strengthened surveillance and investigation. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 60 environmental health and municipal health officers have been trained since 2020. This joint programme exemplifies the importance of multisectoral collaboration for promoting public health beyond the health sector.
The Cultural and Social Committee, National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
The Cultural and Social Committee of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is committed to protecting people from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Since 2009, the Committee has played a crucial role in adopting important pieces of legislation aimed at controlling tobacco use and exposure in the country. These measures include laws requiring health warnings on tobacco products, expansion of smoke-free environments, and bans on tobacco advertising and promotion. In 2021, the Tobacco Control Law was amended to ban the production, importation, exportation, distribution, trade, sale and use of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products and shisha. These amendments mark a critical step in protecting the health of the country’s 7.5 million people.
Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” Schramm Cayetano, Philippines
Senator Cayetano has long been a leader and advocate for strengthening tobacco control efforts in the Philippines. The senator’s work has focused on preserving the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration and reducing the affordability and accessibility (for youths) of tobacco products. In 2014, Cayetano championed the Graphic Health Warnings Law for tobacco products, which was extended in 2019 to cover electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems and heated tobacco products. The senator also played a key role in 2020 in passing amendments to the Sin Tax Reform Law, which has sharply increased excise taxes on these products.
Ministry of Health, Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Ministry of Health played a crucial role in advocating the increase of over 50% in excise taxes on tobacco products, along with the prohibition of heated tobacco products, electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems. Acting even before products were widely available in Vanuatu, the Ministry recognized the potential threats they posed to young people and tobacco control efforts in the country. Through the Ministry’s foresight, Vanuatu became the first country in the Pacific to put in place a ban on these products. By prioritizing tobacco control efforts and enacting preventive measures, the Ministry of Health has contributed to creating a safer and healthier environment for the 327 000 people of Vanuatu.