Tobacco Control Advocacy and Campaign Workshop

The theme of the Workshop was tools for new media and fundraising. Stakeholders working on tobacco, cancer and related issues at European as well as national levels were present.

The first presentation, led by Karen Gutierrez from Global Dialogue, was an overview of international lessons. Her presentation focused mainly on the role of new media. Effective tobacco-control has to consider the fact that the Tobacco Industry uses Facebook, Twitter or Flickr extensively. A set of projects such as “Text2quit”, “IMReady” or “Sigi Tabak” were also presented in order to show how crucial it is to encourage, follow and support determined smokers to quit smoking.

Beth Granter from the Good Agency UK, a coalition of communication organisations working for a healthy, environmentally sustainable and harmonious society, gave a presentation on “Digital engagement – the first step in online fundraising”. After explaining why to use the internet and what the key questions are, Ms. Granter highlighted some important examples of ’’digital engagement in action’’ such as youtube projects, facebook pages and the online game “Second life – Association for International Cancer Research Island”. She then emphasised the social media process, from agreeing project objectives to choosing the target audiences and measuring outcomes.

Tobacco Control Advocacy in Europe

The second day of the workshop began with presentations from different stakeholders working on tobacco control advocacy issues in Europe.

Ms. Terje Peetso from (DG SANCO C6) presented an overview of the progress made in the European Union on smoking prevention and control. Based on the existing legislation she emphasised issues such as warning pictures, oral tobacco, new products (i.e., electronic cigarettes) and their management. She concluded her intervention with the “previous day successful agreement” of the European Council on the Smoking Prevention Recommendation.

Mr. Luk Joossens, Advocacy Officer at the Association of the European Cancer Leagues, presented plain packaging. After having highlighted the clear link between packaging and cigarette consumption, he identified the five reasons for standardised packaging:

 Less attractive, trendy and cool,

 Strengthens health warnings,

 Informs and enhances the motivation to quit,

 Denormalises the use of tobacco,

 Consistent with tobacco promotion ban.

Florence Berteletti-Kemp, Director of the Smoke Free Partnership, presented the Partnership’s mission. The SFP works to ensure an effective implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) whose key provisions are:

 The influence of the tobacco industry on public health policies,

 Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke,

 Labelling through health warnings,

 A ban on advertising by 2010,

 The liability of tobacco companies,

 Combating illicit trade through a marking of all tobacco packages ,
 Information on the ingredients used in tobacco products,

 The impact of taxation on public health.

Afterwards Nick Schneider from the German Cancer Research Center focused his presentation on article 12 (Education, communication, training and public awareness) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Workshop on Advocacy

“A Smokefree Experience Just Across the Water” was presented by Alun Williams and Vidya Amey from the Guernsey Adolescent Smokefree Project, an energetic local charity that aims to reduce the level of smoking among the young people of the island. Created in 1997, they managed to obtain a ban of smoking in public places in 2006.

Eugen Lucan, member of the European Economic and Social Committee, presented the work and position of the Committee regarding the EC Recommendation on smokefree environments. Mr Lucan is the Rapporteur of the EESC opinion on the proposal which is advocating for a stronger Recommendation.

For more information:
 Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)

 European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP)

 Global Dialogue for Effective Stop Smoking Campaigns

EPHA related articles:
 Council adopts a Recommendation on smoking prevention

 Registration now open - Workshop on new media and tobacco campaigning

 Upcoming Tobacco Control Training Courses

 Spotlight on European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP)

 Czech Presidency calls for further discussion on excise duty for tobacco

 EPHA position environmental smoke at the workplace