By 
The upcoming Conference of All Parties (COP11) will underscore the collective dedication to strive for a tobacco-free future while eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products.
The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA), speaking on the forthcoming event said that the international community was poised to build on the progress made during COP 10 and the 3rd Meeting of the Parties (MOP3).
In a statement, TOFAZA Executive Director, Brenda Chitindi, noted the need to ensure a united front against industry interference and fostering collaborative public health initiatives.
Chitindi said that in terms of challenges facing the next COP and MOP, it was crucial to focus on the bigger narrative, the increasingly noticeable industry presence.
She noted the need to maintain efforts to ensure that all aspects of public health policy-making were free from the interference of the tobacco industry.
“COP10 and MOP3 brought together delegations from around the World and though saw big wins for tobacco control, there remain major gaps that need to be addressed,” Chitindi said.
Read More: Traditional leader calls for ban of flue-cured tobacco in Zambia
“Although progress was made during the COP and MOP “tobacco industry interference and other commercial vested interests remains a major obstacle for both World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and Protocol implementation,” Chitindi said.
Leslie Rae Ferat, Executive Director of Global Alliance for Tobacco Control said during the negotiations, there was a strong presence of global civil society that worked collaboratively during the COP and MOP to advance tobacco control policies without industry interference.
“This is a solid foundation on which to build Tobacco control policies,” Ferat said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments