Action by NGOs

To ensure the success of both local tobacco control policy and the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in combating the global tobacco epidemic, non-governmental organisations must continue to play a key role in all stages of development, negotiation, ratification, and implementation of the treaty. NGOs can takeseveral actions, including the following:

Get involved in the campaign!

Join the FCTC Alliance, Philippines (FCAP);

Encourage your colleagues from other NGOs (including member NGOs if you are an international NGO) to join the FCTC Alliance, Philippines (FCAP);

Sign the Open Letter to President Arroyo;

Download and distribute the Smokebusters Letter to support the Clean Air Act;

Join the It's Okay to Say You Mind signature campaign;

Educate yourself and your constituencies about global tobacco issues and the FCTC (see under 'Links');

Inform and get the support of the media. Send them basic information about the FCTC (see under 'Links') and your contact details for comment and further information;

Provide the media with regular stories on the tobacco epidemic, suggesting the FCTC as part of the solution;

Contact FCAP to find out what the Philippine delegates to the FCTC have said so far and meet with them in order to influence their future positions;

Get resolutions passed in support of the WHO FCTC by your organisation's board;

Adopt a declaration modeled after the Kobe Declaration;

Meet with and send copies of resolutions or declarations to your representatives involved in the WHO FCTC process in your country;

Link to the FCAP website from your website;

Raise funds to send a representative to the FCTC-related meetings;

Raise funds to ensure at least one NGO representative from your country attends the FCTC-related meetings;

Coordinate advocacy campaigns in your country and region to raise public and political support for the FCTC;

Information for NGOs

Tobacco Control is an issue which covers many different areas including development, poverty, womens issues, consumer health and safety, environment, human rights and many other issues. It is important that all of these movements begin to incorporate tobacco control into their agenda. PATH Canada has designed a manual to inspire those in different sectors to become involved in tobacco control, the manual offers essential background information as well as practical suggestions for effective activities.

Women's NGO's

FCA Fact Sheet: Womens Groups, Tobacco Control and the FCTC

Statement by the 'Medical Women International Association', and the 'International Network of Women Against Tobacco' at WHO Public Hearings

FCA Women's Caucus Statement at INB1;

A brilliant paper on women and tobacco and the importance of the FCTC to women's groups;

The 'International Network of Women Against Tobacco' has many important resources such as fact sheets and presentations available on their website;

WHO has a page on its website devoted to women and tobacco which contains and links to important resources;

Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General (March 2001).

Strengthening International Agreements by Charlotte C. Abaka

Development and Poverty Alleviation NGO's

A leaflet drawn up for the People's Health Assembly by FCA members offers a succinct summary of the relevance of tobacco control in developing countries;

Hungry for Tobacco (PDF) - This report shows how tobacco expenditures can further aggravate poverty and malnutrition by diverting resources from basic needs

The links between tobacco use and poverty are receiving increasing attention. This leaflet gives an overview of the issues.

Many people incorrectly assume that tobacco control will affect jobs. This leaflet gives an overview in why this is not the case.

FCA Press Release: Global tobacco control treaty could reduce poverty, create jobs and protect the environment, say NGOs, 1 May 2001

World Bank Tobacco Control in Developing Countries Fact Sheets (PDF)

PATH Canada Employment Fact Sheet (PDF)

PATH Canada Poverty Fact Sheet (PDF)

PATH Canada ITGA Report: Exposure of the connections between ITGA and the tobacco industry, with detailed information to counter ITGA’s claims of representing tobacco farmers. Also available in French and Spanish.

id21: Controlling the global tobacco epidemic - Towards a transnational response

id21: Taking poverty to heart - Non-communicable diseases and the poor

Consumer Associations

FCA Fact Sheet: Consumer groups, Tobacco Control and the FCTC

Consumers International Fact Sheet for World Consumer Rights Day 2001

Consumers International intervention at INB3

Youth Groups

PATH Canada 'BAT's Youth Smoking Prevention Program: Not only an analysis of BAT Bangladesh’s programme, but also a guide to countering industry-sponsored youth prevention campaigns in other countries (PDF)

General Materials

PATH Canada Tobacco Law briefing kit: A practical guide to different legal measures to reduce tobacco use. Available in English (PDF), French (PDF) and Spanish