Deklarasaun husi Timor-Leste iha Konvensaun Enkuadramentu ba Kontrolu Tabaku iha Moskovo

Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

[Sixth Session; Moscow, Russian Federation; 13–18 October 2014]

Timor-Leste’s statement

Moscow, 14 October 2014.

Mr. President,

Head of the Convention Secretariat,

Hon’ble delegates from the Parties to the Convention,

Secretariat and WHO officers and staff,

Observers to the COP,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

On behalf of Timor –Leste representative I would like to appreciate and congratulate the excellent and  comprehensive report from Dr. Vera da Costa e Silva,  the head of  secretariat on global progress in implementation of the WHO Framework  Convention on Tobacco Control.

We would like to thanks the Russian Government for hosting the   Sixth Session Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Mr President,

Timor-Leste has high prevalence of Tobacco use, where the prevalence of current tobacco use for persons aged 15-49 years is 69.5% among Men and 4.7 % among Women. In other side we are facing a double burden of disease. Communicable diseases such as TB continue to pose a public health challenge. On the other hand, NCDs such as cardiovascular, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, Diabetes and Cancer have emerged among the top ten causes of mortality.

Timor – Leste has ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control since December 2004. At the National level the government has developed and implemented the decree law for health warning message, fiscal control for tobacco manufacture and ban on tobacco advertisement since 2006.

We recognize that Timor- leste hasn’t done much in the implementation of FCTC however our current government has given the priority to control the Non Communicable Diseases including the control and prevention for Tobacco use.

Mr President

With the support from WHO Secretariat, Timor- Leste has developed and implemented the Non Communicable Diseases Strategy plan for 2014 - 2018 which included the national target for relative reduction of tobacco use to 20 % by 2025 and defined specific strategy area for tobacco control such as:

·         Conduct mass-media campaign to counter the influence of tobacco industry and discourage tobacco use.

·         Raise taxes on tobacco products including import duty.

·         Declare all public places tobacco free

·         Make pictorial health warnings mandatory on tobacco products

·         Implement comprehensive ban on tobacco

·         Prohibit sale of tobacco to and by minors.

·         Establish Tobacco Cessation Services in health facilities.

Currently the Ministry of health has developed the comprehensive tobacco related legislation in keeping with the commitments under Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and enforces its implementation.

While the human resources capacities still need to strengthen to ensure the  implementation of integrated national action plan and Tobacco Legislation ; We would like to take this opportunity to thanks the head of  secretariat and  WHO  Country Office for all effort that has been provided to Timor-Leste and we strongly request continue support from WHO in this area.

Mr President,

Finally I would like to inform that the Ministry of Health of Timor-Leste is working with the relevant ministries and committed to sign the protocol to control the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

Thank you.

dr. Herculano Seixas