Report on activities for World No Tobacco Day 2011

Preamble

At the beginning of the planning process an ambitious plan of activities was outlined to mark the

occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2011. The prevailing environment and circumstances beyond our

control lead to some activities having been cancelled or postponed. The fact that Guyana is currently

working on draft comprehensive tobacco control legislation also overshadowed the activities.

World No Tobacco Day 2011 was celebrated on the 31st May, under the theme “Framework Convention

on Tobacco Control”. The theme signified the need for Guyana and the wider international community

to integrate the FCTC in the development process while accelerating its implementation at a country

level.

The Guyana Chest Society was of the view that a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health

and the Pan – American Health Organization would provide a more effective WNTD 2011 Campaign.

The following persons were involved in the planning of the activities:

Names Organization

Darshanand Rampersaud Guyana Chest Society

Sabella Yusuf Health Promotions Coordinator- Ministry of Health

Sahodra Rampersaud Pan American Health Organization

Nicola Butts Ministry of Health Adolescent Health unit

Lucy Anderson Ministry of Health

May 27th - Public Education exercise held at historic “Feminition” Expo

The Guyana Chest Society as it continued its rigorous public education drive seized another opportunity

to raise awareness of the tobacco epidemic. The event was the inaugural and historic “Feminition” Trade

Show and Exposition. Over the years data extrapolated from various studies indicate an upward trend in

female smokers as the tobacco industry continues to look at new and innovative ways to generate

revenue for its most hazardous product. The Society took the opportunity to mount a display and satellite

table to which thousands of Guyanese attended from all walks of life predominantly females.

The platform “Feminition” paved the way for highlighting the impact that tobacco can have on the society

especially on the female populace, while serving as an impediment to development. Most of the

attendees related that the message has made an indelible impact on their lives while appreciating the

cause and pledging not to use tobacco. Over all, the concept of this exhibition has been an enhancement

to women’s lives; and to empower them to move on to greater heights through healthier and smoke free

lifestyles.

Pictures from the Feminition Expo

May 30th – Official Launch of World No Tobacco Day 2011 and GYTS 2010 Results for Guyana

World No Tobacco Day 2011 was launched prematurely on the 30th May. The event was a simple

ceremony in which the GYTS 2010 data was officially launched for Guyana. At the briefing, Minister of

Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy expressed his revulsion of the Caricom member states not being able to

agree on the standards for packaging and labelling of tobacco products. The Minister in his address to

the gathering also alluded to the fact that Guyana is looking to enact comprehensive tobacco control

legislation in Guyana.

Minister Ramsammy outlined the grim reality painted by results from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey

which indicates there is a growing number of young people using the freedom that society offers to

experiment with tobacco. This also underscores a core challenge, in which a lot more needs to be done

including a continuous public education campaign complemented with adequate legislation to curb the

epidemic.

Media sensitization and related articles

The Guyana Chest Society in its continuous quest to sensitize the general public through the media

issued various news releases to mark this most important occasion. These included:

The posting of a Tobacco Control ad on one of Guyana’s most popular news website the

Caribbean Trakker.

May 29 – Guyana Times “Tobacco treaty embraced needs boost on the ground”

MAY 30- Kaieture News “Guyana moving forward in tobacco fight”

May 31 – Caribbean Trakker “Tobacco treaty needs boost on the ground”

1st June

Launch of smoke free zones

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

The Guyana Chest Society in its relentless approach to ensure that Guyana continues on the path of

being 100% smoke free partnered with the Ministry of Health in another critical event. This time it was

the launching of the Ministry of Industry and related agencies as smoke free zones on the occasion of

World No Tobacco Day 2011. It was particularly special since it was the Ministry and its related agencies

that were being declared smoke free after a hiatus from tobacco control in Guyana. The meeting saw

the attendance of the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Tourism, Industry and

Commerce, Manniram Prashad, among other key stakeholders.

The Minister of Industry made brief remarks in which he declared full support for the smoke free

campaign and assured that his Ministry will ensure that this commitment is firmly honoured. Minister

Prashad also affirmed that the following agencies coming under the purview of his Ministry will be

smoke free as well. They are:

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards

The Guyana Tourism Authority

The Guyana International Convention Centre

The Minister of Health in his characteristic way outlined tobacco as a potent chemical that causes a

variety of health complications. The Minister also posed the challenge to his colleague to review the

draft standards for packaging and labelling of tobacco products, while also asking the Minister to use his

influence at the Cabinet level, so that the comprehensive tobacco control legislation that is currently

being drafted can be readily enacted at the appropriate time.

The “crusade” continues to gain momentum as yet another public entity was declared smoke free. The

Ministers then signed the declaration. Below are pictures from the event:

Summary

World No Tobacco Day 2011 was observed with much prospect. Given that Guyana is a member of the

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control while currently finalizing the draft comprehensive tobacco

control legislation added a further dimension to activities and Guyana Chest Society was all part of it

involve in planning, consulting and interacting aspects.

Through a collaborative effort Ministry of Health, Guyana Chest Society and PAHO we were and

continue to be very effective in creating awareness about the many dangers of smoking and advocating

for better health warnings on cigarette packages.

The efforts of these organizations that represent the interest of the public will continue as the “crusade”

gains momentum, the culmination will be the enactment of the comprehensive legislation slated for the

latter part of the year which will ensure swift implementation of the Picture Based Health Warning

System.