Invitation
Dr. Margaret Chan

Welcome TO India
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I am honoured to invite fellow colleagues and delegates to New Delhi, India, for the International Conference on Public Health in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco from September 10-12, 2013. The Conference is a call for collective resolution to fight tobacco through global cohesion and integration of tobacco control into broader health and development agendas for the achievement of our common health and development goals.

With India making concerted efforts towards ending the tobacco epidemic, by banning smokeless tobacco and introducing strict tobacco control laws, we recognize this as an opportune time for hosting a confluence of multi-sector stakeholders to evaluate current global strategies to fight tobacco and develop a way forward collaboratively.

The premise for choosing the theme ‘The Endgame for Tobacco’ was that while tobacco control has been identified as key determinant in the global public health agenda, there is a need to mobilize tobacco control measures in addressing the larger development agenda. It is imperative that tobacco control efforts be stepped up,at pace with progressive, ground-breaking and radical international measures moving towards a tobacco-free society. Although successes in tobacco control efforts have been regionally skewed, there are a number of positive developments and initiatives in the overall global tobacco control movement that can be replicated as best practices. Along with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and MPOWER strategies, tobacco control movements in various countries have adopted contextually relevant strategies and activities that have found success. There is a need to derive a more innovative perspective on FCTC and MPOWER and to explore innovative partnerships and build a global coalition that supports tobacco control beyond traditional confines.

I look forward to your experiences and insights on various facets of tobacco control including, governance, policy, advocacy and research. I am certain that your participation will contributeimmensely to the success of our first globalendeavour to bring together experts and advocates from tobacco control and other allied sectors from across the world. We look forward to welcoming you in New Delhi for constructive discussions at the Conference and warm Indian hospitality.

Prof. K. Srinath Reddy

President

Public Health Foundation of India

RATIONALE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE ENDGAME FOR TOBACCO

With the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopting a target of 30% reduction in tobacco use prevalence by 2025, the global narrative on tobacco control is increasingly exploring the concept of tobacco endgame, which envisions reducing tobacco prevalence and availability to minimal levels. The recent gutka ban imposed by India (in 27 states and Union Territories) can be considered as India's big step towards tobacco endgame.

The Conference endeavours a way forward for cohesive policy environment combined with evidence-based community action to promote public health by reducing current tobacco use prevalence and set global and country-wise targets to protect present and future generations from the harms of tobacco use.

The International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco will primarily focus on developing multi sectoral partnerships and taking tobacco control beyond health sector to integrate it with the global development goals and appropriate treatment under trade agreements and treaties.

This Conference will provide a platform not only for knowledge transfer and information sharing, but agenda setting for future pathways of the global tobacco control movement to put an end to tobacco. The Conference will also present an opportunity for development and public health professionals, law enforcers, advocates, researchers, economists, environmentalists, social scientists, policy makers, and other identified stakeholders, especially from LMICs, to present scientific evidence and share experience, innovations and ideas for moving towards endgame solutions.













Technical Co-Sponsor
   
WHO    
  
Technical Partners
   
America Cancer Society Australia India Council Asian Heart Institute
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campaign For Tabacco Free Kid Central For Disease Control And Prevention
Alliance Healis Economics Association of India
International Development Research Center International Union for Health Promotion and Education Indian Dental Association
Medical Student Association of India International Institute For Health And Welfare Oral Cancer Foundation
World Bank Tobacco Control Tobacco Intervention Initiative Centre
Tobacco Induced Diseases us national cancer institute World Heart Federation