<strong>China: STMA Starts Training on Fulfillment of Tobacco Control Obligations</strong>

Source from:  TobaccoChina Online 05/21/2013

The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) – the regulator of China's tobacco industry – launched in Beijing on May 6 a four-day program of training on China's Tobacco Control Planning (2012-2015), which is intended to fulfill China's commitment to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

It was the first time for the STMA to launch a program of training on tobacco control in fulfillment of China's commitment to the FCTC covering the whole tobacco industry of China.

Major tasks of the training program include interpretation of the spirit of China's Tobacco Control Planning, study of the contents of China's Tobacco Control Planning, enhancement of understanding, and promotion of healthy and orderly launch of the work of tobacco control in fulfillment of China's commitment to the FCTC.

In launching the training program, the STMA emphasized that it should be sufficiently understood that formulation and implementation of China's Tobacco Control Planning was both a duty and obligation of China's in fulfillment of its commitment to the FCTC, and was also an objective need for healthy and orderly launch of the work of tobacco control in China.

It is imperative to scientifically judge the situation of tobacco control both in China and abroad, adhere to the policy of proceeding from the realities, and systematically and steadily promote the work of tobacco control in fulfillment of China's commitment to the FCTC with priorities given to key points, according to the STMA.

It is also imperative to closely follow up development of the FCTC; actively do a good job of relevant research; strengthen publicity and education hereof; actively introduce the development orientation, effects and progress of tobacco control in fulfillment of China's commitment to the FCTC; and create a favorable environment of public opinions.

The four-day training program was divided into two terms. Relevant experts and scholars with the General Office of the STMA, economic research institutes and China Academy of Social Sciences were invited to give lectures to the trainees.

Participating in the training program were some members of the taskforce for fulfillment of China's commitment to the FCTC of the STMA and China National Tobacco Corporation, and leaders of the relevant departments of institutions directly affiliated to the tobacco industry of China. Enditem