Islamset - Proceedings INGCAT International NGO MObilisation Meeting in Geneva

Proceedings INGCAT International
NGO MObilisation Meeting
Geneva, 15-16 May, 1999.

Conclusions

Already over 60 million people could have lived longer in health if they had not used tobacco and the number is rising dramatically. The tobacco epidemic is not purely a medical problem, but a phenomenon that affects equity, justice and developmental potential for all of the people of the world. Tobacco control and prevention activities are important elements to include in programmes to protect children, enable healthy choices, promote sustainable development, reduce suffering and early death reduce poverty, protect human rights and eliminate exploitation. These proceedings of the NGO mobilisation meeting look at various issues concerning the tobacco epidemic, and identify actions we can take as NGOs to advance tobacco control and prevention in the world.

NGO can play a vital role in influencing the social change necessary to reduce the high toll of tobacco use. NGOs strongly united in pupose and in action can influence governments, public opinion and individual behavior. The better the coordination and collaboration, the more powerful our influence will be.

NGOs are not alone in their fight against tobacco. UN agencies are taking a strong stand against this growing epidemic with WHO in the lead. A major step in international tobacco control is the elaboration of an international treaty, the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, being facilitated by the WHO. Even though the resources within WHO and the NGO community are minimal compared to the immense wealth and power of the tobacco industry, there are strong signs that the tobacco control movement is gaining momentum. The private sector is also becoming more involved in tobacco control and in supporting the efforts of WHO and NGOs.

NGOs need to make an assessment of their organisations's attitude and actions regarding tobacco prevention and control. It is the responsibility of each NGO to determine feasible actions to undertake to further the health and interests of their constituencies. They can communicate their actions in different ways, either by publishing them in their own publications and websites, in scientific journals such as the international journal Tobacco Control, or less formal publications such as INGCAT. Update, the IUATLD Bulletin on Tobacco and Health and others.

One of the important milestones in international tobacco control will be the 11th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, in Chicago, USA, from 6-10 August 2000. This conference will provide an excellent opportunity for NGOs to exchange ideas and experiences about tobacco control. We urge all NGOs to plant to attend this important conference, to present their activities to combat the tobacco epidemic, and to discuss with other NGOs about difficulties and successes.

INGCAT is committed to developing collaboration with all interested NGOs disseminating information about the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and other tobacco-related issues, reaching out to organisations that do not have ready access to such information and recruiting as many partners as possible to become active in tobacco control.

Unchecked, the number of tobacco deaths will grow beyond our imagining: within one generation, we will see 100 million people dying over a decade. To reduce the extent of this public health disaster in the next millenium, we all have to act now. We have a window of opportunity; we must open it.

NGCAT, the International Non Governmental Coalition against Tobacco was founded in 1995 by the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and the World Heart Federation. It currently has a membership of 61 members representing over 1000 NGOs in 160 countries.

INGCAT provides advocacy, information dissemination and encouragement for tobacco control initiatives at all levels.