The logo of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance

　The SEA Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) in Thailand has proposed to hold a workshop to discuss tobacco control in the Asian countries. This workshop was co-sponsored by the Clearinghouse for Tobacco Control of the National Poison Center at Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Rockefeller Foundation. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided technical and expert supports.

　　Four main topics were covered during a meeting of this regional alliance, including promoting a smoke-free area, taxation, suggesting complete ban of cigarette advertising, and improving cigarette packaging and warning labels. The main goal of this meeting was for the governments, non-government organizations (NGO's), hospitals, and research institutions to share their experiences with tobacco control, as well as reporting on the progress, difficulties, and short-term goals about these four topics.

　　In addition, through the sharing and exchanging of experience, various organizations are able to collaborate and put tobacco control and prevention plans into action. These organizations could discuss solutions to problems that they had faced, and obtain the understanding and willingness to form partnership or alliance. The goal was to apply tobacco control and prevention throughout the community, the region, the nation, and even across the borders, so more and more government officials and civilian workers could work toward the common goal of tobacco control. In the future, these organizations could meet on an annual basis to compare the progress that is achieved, and encourage each other to be even more proactive in promoting domestic activities.

Website Link:

http://tobaccofreeasia.net/