WHO country office representatives attend leadership programme on tobacco control

The No Tobacco unit of the World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Health Promotion, in collaboration with the WHO regional offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, recently held an Executive Programme on Tobacco Control for WHO Representatives. This two-day intensive meeting brought together 12 WHO Representatives from across the two regions to strengthen global efforts in reducing tobacco use and mitigating its devastating health impacts.

"Tobacco and newer nicotine products like e-cigarettes are addictive, unsafe and unhealthy. These products continue to threaten health, well-being, and undermine the productivity of our youth. WHO Representatives are at the front line, providing Member States with the knowledge and strategies needed to stop this scourge," said Dr Susan Mercado, Director for Programme Management at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.

As the heads of WHO's country offices, WHO Representatives play a pivotal role as public health leaders and ambassadors for the Organization at the country level. Their engagement with government and non-state actors − including civil society, the media, the private sector and academia − is crucial in advancing tobacco control and addressing other noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors. The Executive Programme aimed to enhance their ability to tackle the evolving challenges of tobacco control and focused on commercial determinants of health and industry interference.

Through engaging discussions with global experts and sharing their own collective insights, the WHO Representatives explored innovative solutions, strategic partnerships and communications, and forward-looking strategies to advance tobacco control efforts. The ultimate goal is to achieve a tobacco-free future, aligning with the broader agenda of NCD prevention.

Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, was one of the 12 participants of the Executive Programme. "Building a strong community among WHO Representatives is vital. By exchanging insights and learning from each other, we can strengthen our efforts, leading to more effective and impactful public health outcomes," he said.

Alongside WHO Representatives and Directors of Programme Management from the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions, the Executive Programme featured contributions from global and regional experts, including from WHO technical units, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, School of Global Studies at Thammasat University, Bangladesh Network for NCD Control and Prevention, Minassian Media, and Marathon Strategies.

With the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaching, WHO remains steadfast in its leadership role, supporting governments in prioritizing public health. Through initiatives such as this Executive Programme, WHO continues to drive global efforts to reduce tobacco use, address commercial determinants of health and create a healthier, safer world for future generations.