Ferguson Says Jamaica Remains Committed to Comprehensive Tobacco Control

Source from:  Jamaica Observer  08/19/2014

Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson says Jamaica remains committed to satisfying its obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

During a courtesy visit to the Minister by a team from the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Pan American Health Organization this morning, Dr Ferguson said he is encouraged by the support that Jamaica received in the implementation of the Public Health Tobacco Control Regulations, 2013.

"We are now moving to implement other aspects of the FCTC including comprehensive Tobacco Control Legislation. A lot of work has already been done in this area. We will review what we have and determine how we move forward from there," Dr Ferguson said.

The team is in Jamaica from today until August 22 to conduct a joint Needs Assessment and examine the country's progress towards achieving the objectives of the Articles within the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Needs Assessment exercise is coordinated jointly by the Convention Secretariat along with countries that are Parties to the Convention in order to identify their specific technical and financial needs and the gaps which restrain their fulfilling the objectives under the terms of the FCTC.

During the week, discussions will be undertaken with key stakeholders, including, Government Ministries, international organizations and development partners.

Jamaica signed the FCTC in 2003 and ratified the treaty in 2005. Enditem