The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr Rui Maria de Araujo, with a World No Tobacco Day Award in recognition of his efforts to control tobacco use and raise awareness about the harmful effects on people’s health.
WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said Timor-Leste has the highest prevalence of tobacco use in the region and perhaps in the world.
She also expressed concern that the data showed that 70% of Timorese people smoke cigarettes and that 42% of young people aged between 13 and 15 have a smoking habit.
She said WHO had selected the Prime Minister for this year’s annual award due to his commitment to curbing tobacco use in Timor-Leste, particularly in establishing legislation for tobacco control.
“He (Araujo) was chosen because he’s a big advocate for tobacco control and also because Timor-Leste is a very vulnerable country as far as tobacco prevalence is concerned,” Dr Singh said in an exclusive interview with the TDW in Kaikoli, Dili.
“Dr Araujo gave this a lot of attention and he was politically committed to seeing that he spread the message.”
She said Araujo had advocated for tougher controls and worked to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on human health.
Under the new law, smoking will be banned in public places and on public transport, with sale of tobacco products to be restricted to those aged over 17.
It will also be prohibited to advertise and promote tobacco use and products in Timor-Leste.
She was confident that the Prime Minister’s efforts could help contribute to reducing tobacco use in Timor-Leste and prevent young people from taking up the habit.
“His advocacy and the efforts he has taken since 2015 will make some contribution to tobacco control, especially among the youth of the country,” she said.
Once properly implemented, Dr Singh said the new law should have a positive impact on public health in Timor-Leste.
However, she also acknowledged that the implementation process would be a significant challenge.
“My own experience in many countries shows me that implementation is a big, big issue, but I do believe that with his (the Prime Minister’s) strong commitment to tobacco control he should be able to implement what has now been passed.”
A national commission will be responsible for making regular reports to the Prime Minister and monitoring compliance with the new law.
The World No Tobacco Day awards are awarded annually to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to tobacco control in their respective countries.
The Prime Minister thanked WHO for the award and also acknowledged the efforts of the government of Timor-Leste over the past few years to control tobacco use in the country.
“It is an award that I am happy to share with all the members of the sixth constitutional government who enthusiastically supported efforts to try and curb tobacco use,” Araujo said.
“I am [also] happy to share [this award] with our international partners who have worked with us to motivate our communities to make healthier lifestyle choices.”
He dedicated the award to those who had decided to kick the habit and stop smoking.
In 2004, the National Parliament ratified WHO’s framework on the Convention for Tobacco Control, with anti-tobacco legislation decreed in 2015.
The new tobacco control law was approved by the President in June. A public education campaign has since been launched, with the law due to be implemented soon.
Under the new law, smoking will be banned in public places and on public transport in order to protect people against the harmful effects of passive smoking.
“We are sharing information to all people about not smoking on public transport. If they do [then] we will take action against them,” said Araujo.
He said the government was also conducting a research into raising the price of cigarettes.
It is custom to offer tobacco in Timorese culture at traditional ceremonies. Therefore Araujo said this was something individual Timorese could contribute towards by no longer accepting tobacco.
This is the second time WHO has recognized the government of Timor-Leste for its achievements in the health sector, with former Health Minister Sergio da Costa Lobo receiving an award in 2014 as part of nationwide efforts to eradicate malaria in the country.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Youth Alliance for Tobacco Control, Mateus Lemos Soares, it was proud of the government’s efforts to raise awareness and control tobacco use in Timor-Leste.
He said the youth organization was ready to work with the government and international agencies to combat the rising tobacco epidemic in Timor-Leste through the community education campaign.
