Controlling Non Communicable disease

Tobacco Control@ SPC

Presentation to Pacific Tobacco Control

Smokefree Oceania Conference

5th 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, ‘multi-

tasking’• 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

Nutrition/ Overweight/

ObesityPhysical Activity

Controlling Non Communicable disease

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

JeanieM@spc.int

Thank you!