On 20 November 2020, SEATCA gathered public health experts, tobacco control advocates and government agencies to launch the 2020 Asian and ASEAN Tobacco Industry Interference Indexes covering 18 countries from the region.
The webinar entitled ‘PASS OR FAIL: Findings from Asian and ASEAN Tobacco Industry Interference Indexes’ moderated by SEATCA Senior Policy Advisor, Dr. Mary Assunta, featured several experts including author of the two reports, Ms. Jennie Lyn Reyes, who presented the results of both reports.
Deputy Director for Programs of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Pakistan, Dr Samra Mazhar shared the country’s best practices in combatting tobacco industry interference being Asia’s most improved country according to the results of the Asian report.
Centre for Combating Tobacco, Sri Lanka, Director, Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya shared how the tobacco industry weaponizes corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in his country to interfere in public health policy at the height of COVID-19 pandemic; while Philippines’ Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives, Dr. Susan Mercado provided concrete steps for countries to follow to curb the double pandemic of COVID-19 and tobacco use.
ASEAN Secretariat, Health Division Director and Head Dr. Ferdinal Fernando shared the ASEAN Secretariat’s blueprint to address tobacco industry interference among its member states; while Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control Director, Dr. Judith Mackay concluded and summarized key action points for a whole-of-society approach to counter the tobacco industry.
Full reports can be downloaded here:
- Asian Tobacco Index: https://bit.ly/AsianIndex2020
- ASEAN Tobacco Index: https://bit.ly/ASEANindex2020
Report infographics can be downloaded here:
https://bit.ly/TIIinfographics2020
