FCA PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES

Framework Convention Alliance

Volume 10, Issue 2 July, 2019 In this Issue: Human Rights and Tobacco Control

Human rights and he human rights system The connection between tobacco tobacco control T provides a relevant and robust and human rights was cemented at

Oceania Customs set of global mechanisms that can the 2018 World Conference on Organization and WHO assist countries in accelerating Tobacco or Health, which adopted working together in the FCTC implement ation and the Cape Town Declaration on Pacific achieving health and development Human Rights and a Tobacco-free objectives. Including tobacco World (and ratified by 165 organi- Cigarette butt project generates youth interest control in national human rights zations), recognizing the efforts promotes policy coherence, ―manufacture, advertising, and more efficiently utilizes marketing of tobacco Wellness NCD Alliance existing resources, and products as viola- adds a powerful argu- tions of the right to WHO WPR holds consultation on regional ment to combat tobacco health.‖ This mirrored action plan for tobacco industry interference. the sentiment of the control Danish Institute for

Five PICs will deliver The nexus between Human Rights in VNRs at High-level tobacco and human 2017:“Tobacco is Political Forum deeply harmful to ri g h t s i s cl ear, ASH US Executive Director, L.

particularly in the case Huber and ’s Focal Point on human health, and OTCC updates Human Rights, J. Tarkong at 41st there can be no doubt of the rights to health session of the UN HRC Congratulations and life recognized in that the production and numerous human rights treaties and marketing of tobacco is irreconcilable Tobacco-Free with the human right to health. For the national constitutions, but encom- National Arts tobacco industry, the [United Nations Festival in passing many other rights as well. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights] therefore require the World No Tobacco Day Human rights were part of the FCTC cessation of the production and 2019 story from its inception. References marketing of tobacco.”

Important dates appear in the text itself and in several Guidelines and decisions. A The delegation from Palau growing number of human rights illustrated their commitment to bodies have recognized the tobacco as a human rights issue by importance of governmental action making an oral intervention at the on tobacco control as part of their recently concluded 41st session of human rights obligations. the Human Rights Council.

Oceania Customs Ada presented information on Pacific experi- ence with tobacco excise tax implementation Organisation and WHO and tobacco licensing. She highlighted the working together to promote importance of the role of customs agencies in protecting public health and emphasized how healthier and safer Pacific the cost (expenditures) of NCDs to Pacific governments far outweigh any perceived The 21st Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) benefit of tobacco trade revenue. Further, she Annual Meeting was held from 13-16 May encouraged customs colleagues to liaise with 2019 in , Commonwealth of the health counterparts to become familiar with (CNMI). WHO tobacco control laws so that customs agencies tobacco control focal point for the Division of may support enforcement. Pacific Technical Support, Ada Moadsiri, participated on the panel on revenue mobilization along with representatives from the World Customs Organization, OCO, the Revenue Manage- ment Division, and the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre.

The 2019 Palau Pledge winning USD $100. Plans for safe disposal are being worked on in collaboration with Koror Challenge generates great State Solid Waste Management. interest from school youth The project created great interest among the

students and increased their awareness about Friends of Palau National Marine Sanctuary how tobacco negatively impacts our oceans. (FRIENDS), the Palau National Marine Sanctu- ary (PNMS) and Koror State Government Solid While the banning of plastic straws is Waste Management challenged school youth in becoming popular (several restaurants in grades 1 to 12 to take action to protect the Palau have voluntarily stopped their use), environment and collect cigarette filters/butts focused efforts should also be placed on during the month of March. Students from cigarette filters/butts that are the single fourteen (14) schools responded to the greatest source of ocean pollution. challenge and collected a total of 145 lbs (65.8 kg) of the butts. Organizers were See continuation page 3 proud to announce winners in time for Earth Day in April. The first place winner collected 18 lbs and received the grand prize of USD $500 while the 2nd place winner collected 17.5 lbs and received USD $250 and the 3rd place class collected 17 lbs

2 Continued from page 2 Tobacco‘s interaction with sustainable develop- Cigarette filters are made of a plastic called ment goal (SDG) 14 - Conserve and sustaina- cellulose acetate. A typical cigarette butt can bly use the oceans, seas and marine resources take anywhere from 18 months to 10 years to for sustainable development is clear. decompose, depending on conditions. According to a World Health Organization To read about tobacco‘s linkages to other (WHO) report, they also contain ―over 7000 SDGs, see the WHO Framework Conven- toxic chemicals, including known human tion on Tobacco Control - An Accelerator carcinogens, which leach into and accumulate for Sustainable Development. in the environment. This toxic waste ends up on our streets, in our drains and in our water. Research has shown that harmful chemicals leached from discarded butts, which include nicotine, arsenic and heavy metals, can be acutely toxic to aquatic organisms; research into their longer term effects on water supply are ongoing‖. Wellness NCD Alliance forms Key outcomes of the workshop included 1) agreement to establish a NCD Alliance to in the Solomon Islands engage in NCD prevention and management control efforts in the Solomon Islands; 2) clari- The Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) unit fication of governance arrangements for the of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Alliance; 3) identified strategic objectives and (MHMS) represented by Dr. Geoffrey a work plan aligned with the Solomon Islands Kenilorea, engaged local civil society groups to Multi-sectoral National NCD Plan 2019-2023; establish a non communicable diseases and 4) a commitment to create and expand the initiative. With support from the Pacific Alliance network to foster knowledge Community (SPC), twenty exchange, share evidence -five participants from based NCD best practices, civil society and the and identify potential MHMS met for two days technical and funding in mid June in to sources to sustain the discuss details of estab- Alliance. lishing a Wellness NCD Alliance. An interim committee was nominated with a core mandate to oversee the The call to engage civil society comes in establishment of the Wellness NCD Alliance response to the threat posed by non communi- including the nomination of the Board of cable diseases and their risk factors such as Governance. The interim committee includes a tobacco use, to health and national develop- diverse group of representatives from MHMS, ment especially in low and middle income networks from youth, women, sports, faith and countries like the Solomon Islands. the media, the former Auditor General, and the Office of the Attorney General.

3 WHO Western Pacific Region objectives and their respective indicators and actions for member states and areas, as well as holds consultation on regional for WHO; and discussed and agreed on how the action plan for tobacco new RAP would be implemented, supported control and evaluated.

In February, regional experts reviewed a new The new plan has new focus on preventing draft Regional Action Plan (RAP) for tobacco tobacco industry interference and addressing control in the Western Pacific. The plan takes emerging products. It identifies areas of WHO into account the new Global Strategy to focused support to countries on tobacco control. Accelerate Tobacco Control, which sets global Final revisions will be made based on this input priorities to maximize impact on tobacco use and the RAP will be presented for endorsement around the world. at the 70th Regional Committee Meeting that will be held 7-11 October 2019 in Manila. Based on feedback from the experts, the plan was revised and presented for consid- eration to 25 participants from 24 member states and areas from the WHO Western Pacific Region during a consultation held from 30 April to 2 May 2019. Participants agreed with the mission, vision, goal and overall target of the draft; actively engaged in discussion around each of the strategic

Five PICs will deliver their The VNRs are the cornerstone of the follow-up and review process and aim to facilitate the voluntary national reviews at sharing of experiences, including successes, High Level Political Forum challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating implementation of the 2030

Agenda. Every July, countries gather to review and

discuss progress implementing the 2030 agenda The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and for sustainable development. Five Pacific island institutions of governments and to mobilize countries - Fiji, , Palau, , and multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for Vanuatu will be presenting their voluntary the implementation of the Sustainable Develop- national reviews (VNRs) at the UN High-level ment Goals (SDGs). Political Forum on Sustainable Development

(HLPF) in New York this July. Three more Pacific island countries will be pre- paring VNRs in 2020 - Federated States of Mi- cronesia, and the Solomon Islands while will be presenting their 2nd VNR in 2020. Reports can be reviewed at https:// sustainabledevelopment.un.org/vnrs/.

4

Oceania Tobacco Control , Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, and the Republic of the . Conference (OTCC) 2019 - Making Tobacco Control a Additionally, there will be a half day workshop Priority for Pacific island delegates who will share ex- periences getting tobacco control on national OTCC provides a unique opportunity for a and regional agendas, respectively. Workshop ‗meeting of minds,‘ bringing together tobacco participants will review the Global Strategy to control researchers, advocates, policy makers Accelerate Tobacco Control and the Western and program administrators from , Pacific Regional Action Plan (RAP) and dis- and Pacific Island nations. cuss how countries might prioritize specific tobacco control actions and prepare to elevate Keynote speakers will be Stella Bialous whose them to national and regional agendas. research focuses on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Scholarships to attend the conference have been and tobacco industry monitoring and Andrew generously awarded to several participants. Pipe, Canada‘s foremost expert on smoking cessation. Save $200 - take advantage of early bird registra- Presentations will be made by several Pacific tion. Early bird closes Friday, 26 July 2019. See https://otcc.org.au/2019/registration island countries/territories including , Congratulations to Fiji Tobacco-Free National Arts Festival in Vanuatu The Head of the Convention Secretariat Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva met with Dr. Vanuatu Government is staging the 4th National Ifereimi Waqainabete, Honorable Minister of Arts Festival 18-23 August in Malampa Health and Medical Services of Fiji to congratu- Province when cultural heritage will be late Fiji on becoming the 52nd Party to the Pro- showcased. The Ministry of Health is pleased to tocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Prod- announce that the event will be tobacco-free. ucts effective 24 April, 2019. Vanuatu successfully hosted the Tobacco Free Pacific Mini Games in 2017.

5 World No Tobacco Day: May 31, 2019

FIJI

KIRIBATI

COOK ISLANDS

NAURU MARSHALL ISLANDS

See full WNTD booklet here

VANUATU

6

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PALAU

SAMOA

TONGA

SSOLOMON ISLANDS

"Together we can make our islands tobacco-free through intensified tobacco control. Protect Our Youth, Our Future...

Start the FSM Tobacco-Free Revolution..."

MICRONESIA

Congratulations to this year’s Pacific island recipients of a WHO World No Tobacco Day Award Guam Non-Communicable Disease Consortium Tobacco Control Action Team, Guam & Ministry of Social Services, Government of Republic of Niue

7 Framework Convention Alliance in the Pacific Islands Working together to free the world from the devastating health, social, economic and environmental consequences of tobacco and tobacco use

The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) represents FCA has representatives in all WHO regions. The West- the voice of civil society in support of the world‘s first ern Pacific—Pacific Island Countries Regional Office global public health treaty – the WHO Framework (WPRO– Oceania) of FCA is located in Palau. The Coor- Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCA is dinator is Annabel Lyman. made up of nearly 500 organizations from more than 100 low, middle and high income countries. The Office‘s main activities are:  Mobilise and support civil society capacity in For membership information: write to support of the FCTC [email protected].  Collaborate with other technical assistance pro- viders serving the Pacific Islands  Provide technical assistance to members & Parties FCA publishes the Bulletin and Tobacco Watch

http://www.fctc.org/publications For more information contact the Coordinator

9-15 July: High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, New York. See https:// Thanks to Cancer Council Australia (CCA) sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php? for generous support to tobacco control menu=4444 in the Pacific

17-30 September : 74th Session of the UN General FCA Members in Pacific Island Countries Assembly (UNGA 74) New York. See http:// sdg.iisd.org/events/74th-session-of-the-un-general-  Coalition for a Tobacco Free Palau (CTFP) assembly/  Global Youth Leadership Nexus (GYLN) (Solomon Islands) 7-11 October: Regional Committee for the Western  Kumit Bobrae Coalition Inc. (Marshall Islands) Pacific: seventieth session, Manila, Philippines  Marshall Islands Epidemiology and Prevention

Initiatives, Inc. (MIEPI) 13-15 October: 15th Annual Conference on Tobacco Induced Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. See http://  Kia-Henry Nema (Papua New Guinea) www.isptid.org/  Nauru National Women‘s Council  Samoa Cancer Society (SCS) 22 -24 October: Oceania Tobacco Control Conference at  The Child of the South Pacific Incorporated Doltone House - Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney, Australia. Society (Niue) See https://otcc.org.au/2019/  Tobacco Free Coalition Kosrae (Federated States of Micronesia) 24-25 October: SNRT-O conference , Sydney, Australia.  Tonga Family Health Association See https://www.srnt.org/page/SRNT-O  Tuvalu Association of NGOs (TANGO)  Ulkerreuil a Klengar– UAK (Palau)

Visit our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/FrameworkConventionAlliance 8