Protecting the children of Samoa from thw harmful use and effects of smoking will be the focus of a newly launched project under the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The WHO FCTC is a comprehensive blueprint for governments to stop tobacco use in their countries, and 181 countries, including Samoa, have ratified the treaty.
Samoa will receive special assistance from the international community to fully implement the world’s only health treaty dedicated to ending the global tobacco epidemic.
The Samoa Ministry of Health says tobacco is not only a health hazard but it is also a significant barrier to national development as a cause of many social, economic and environmental problems.
The five year project will bring international support to Samoa from the United Nations, including the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and WHO.
This will include expert advice, technical assistance and peer support to strengthen tobacco control action.
The governments of the United Kingdom and Australia are providing funds under the new project to promote the accelerated implementation of the WHO FCTC in low- and middle-income countries.
Samoa is one of 15 countries that will receive dedicated assistance to strengthen tobacco control.
