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The Ministry of Health, Myanmar, with support and
collaboration of WHO, organized the National Workshop on MPOWER Policy
Package for Strengthening Tobacco Control Efforts, from 8 to 10 September
2009 at Thingaha Hotel, Nay Pyi
Taw.
MPOWER is a Policy Package to reverse the tobacco
epidemic. It is an acronym that stands for Monitor tobacco use and prevention
policies, Protect people from tobacco smoke, Offer help to quit tobacco use,
Warn about the dangers of tobacco, Enforce ban on tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship and Raise taxes on tobacco.
Being the National Workshop, it was attended by senior
officials from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home
Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Ministry of
Commerce, Ministry of Industry (1), Ministry of Transport, Ministry of
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Office
of the Attorney General and the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd.
The objectives of the workshop were as follows:
1. To
raise awareness about each policy of the MPOWER Package, its recommended
interventions and strategies for implementation;
2. To
promote multisectoral collaboration towards
implementation of the six MPOWER policies; and
3. To
provide a platform to formulate a plan of action for implementation of the
MPOWER policies
During the workshop, presentations on background
information including WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the
global, regional and country situation on tobacco epidemic and control
efforts, details on each policy of MPOWER package, etc. were made by
respective focal persons from Ministry of Health, WHO, Ministry of Finance
and Attorney General Office.
Presentations for each agenda item were followed by open
discussions to clarify issues and concerns. All participants joined the forum
and contributed their frank opinions to reach fruitful outcomes. On the last
day, the workshop participants consolidated the discussion and contributions
and summarize the recommendations. A draft action plan for further
strengthening tobacco control in line with MPOWER policy package was also
developed.
The recommendations and the draft action plan will serve
as the basis for undertaking future steps for implementation of MPOWER policy
package for strengthening tobacco control efforts in Myanmar.
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Senior officials from various ministries,
administrative authorities and stakeholders have joined the national
workshop
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Participants actively contributing
constructive opinions for future steps
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