1 June 2017:

Laos PDR organized several events to celebrate World No Tobacco Day 2017. 

The first event on the 26th May, the Hygiene and Health Promotion Department, the Ministry of Health – Lao PDR, the World Health Organization – Lao PDR Country Office and Western Pacific Regional Office and the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) hosted a national workshop on “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) by implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)” at Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane. 

The workshop chaired by Vice Minister of Health was attended by other ministries and multi-sectoral stakeholders such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Investment and Planning, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice. The workshop recognized the importance of strengthening tobacco tax policy in achieving the SDGs especially for low-and-middle-income countries like Lao PDR. Tobacco tax is a win-win-policy for the government and public.

On the 27th May, the mini-walking marathon was organized for the youth and public to participate in the celebrations. More than 100 people joined the event at Pathouxay Stupa, Vientiane. Deputy Prime Minister (Vice Minister of Finance) and Vice Minister of Health hosted the vents.