Your Excellency, Mr Saythong KEODOUANGDY, Deputy Governor of Vientiane Capital; Esteemed Director-General of Departments from Ministry of Health and other line ministries; Distinguished guests and colleagues; Youths and adolescents; Ladies and gentlemen; Good evening.
On behalf of the World Health Organization, I am pleased to be invited to attend this very important public advocacy event to declare Chao Anouvong Park as a smoke free venue, as part of the celebration for this year’s World No Tobacco Day 2015; an event that is celebrated annually on 31st May.
I am impressed to see an increasing number of indoor and outdoor places in Laos that have decided to go smoke-free, including Chao Anouvong Park which is another key public place, that is now appointed smoke-free under the strong leadership of the Vientiane Capital and the Ministry of Health; in collaboration with many of the line ministries and development partners who have worked laboriously to support the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Much have been achieved in recent years from this strong partnership and significant progress is seen in the implementation of article 8 which calls for protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, particularly second hand smoke.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
To reduce second-hand smoke exposure, it is important to enforce the regulations stipulated in the National Tobacco Control Law which calls for initiatives that includes a smoke-free environment, designated no smoking public areas, strict ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
As you may know, tobacco use is the biggest contributor to the epidemic of non-communicable diseases such as heart attack, stroke, cancer and emphysema which accounts for 63% of deaths around the world. More than 50% of young people aged 13-15 are exposed to second-hand smoke at home; and 64% are exposed to second-hand smoke in public places.
The WHO global report in 2013 showed that in Lao PDR about 4,807 people were killed annually by diseases caused by tobacco, which accounts for approximately 13 people per day. I am sure that there are many more deaths that are indirectly related to tobacco use and second hand smoke that is not accounted for in this global report.
By 2030, it is estimated that tobacco will kill more than 8 million people globally if action is not taken now. And this is why; the World No Tobacco Day is an important day to remind people around the world that action has to be taken now before it is too late.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the only treaty that responds to the global tobacco epidemic. As of 12 February this year, a total of 168 states have signed up for this Convention with many expressing their wish to become a party to the Convention.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
To achieve the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, particularly Article 8 which calls for protection from exposure to tobacco smoke; the civil society has a central role to play. They should be included as an active partner in the process of developing, implementing and enforcing legislation; and in building support and ensuring compliance with the smoke free measures that have been introduced.
Today, we have invited many youths and adolescents to witness this event, these smoke free measures will ensure that they can enjoy more smoke free environment when participating in outdoor events.
At the same time, I would strongly recommend that the Government of Lao PDR continues to expand the implementation of WHO FCTC Article 8-to include other provinces in the future, so that youths and adolescents in all provinces nationwide also shares these benefits.
In closing, I would like to thank all our partners from the National Assembly, Ministry of Health and other line ministries, development partners and particularly the Vientiane Capital Governor Office who has been instrumental in taking the lead and organizing this event to promote Vientiane Capital as a Healthy City. I am sure that the people of Lao PDR can enjoy better health through these initiatives.
Thank you.