(September 21, 2016, New York, USA) – Vital Strategies has welcomed a speech by President Vázquez of Uruguay, delivered at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. President Tabaré Vázquez committed to continue his country’s fight against tobacco use and preventable disease, calling for like-minded governments, the scientific community and civil society to work together to reduce non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease and cancer by addressing risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol misuse, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles.
President Vázquez highlighted how these risk factors and associated diseases kill some 104,109 people every day and exacerbate poverty among the poorest in society. He noted that the direct cost of smoking to health systems in Latin America is estimated to be US$33 billion, while direct and indirect costs are estimated to be US$286 billion. Vázquez emphasized that poverty cannot be reduced without addressing the global NCD epidemic. With that objective, he has already reached out to members of the scientific community and has met with representatives of the International Union Against Cancer, the Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (currently chaired by Vital Strategies’ President and CEO, José Luis Castro) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to build support for his initiative.
Uruguay was a global leader in enacting large graphic warnings on tobacco packs and a ban on multiple brand presentations – among other policy measures – to reduce tobacco use. Philip Morris International (PMI) brought a legal action to overturn Uruguay’s legislation and deter other countries from enacting the same policies. After six years, Uruguay successfully defended the case at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. It was a clear victory for the sovereignty of national governments and their right to enact proven policies to improve public health.
José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Strategies commented:
“I was delighted to meet with President Vázquez in my role as Chair of the NCD Alliance, to discuss how we can best reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Uruguay was a true leader in enacting strong tobacco control legislation in spite of legal challenges from the tobacco industry. Thanks in part to this leadership, millions of people across the world – not just in Uruguay, but also in countries like Nepal, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Philippines, Bangladesh and a growing number of European countries – are protected by large graphic warnings on tobacco packaging. Every day, they remind smokers of the harms of tobacco and encourage them to quit.
“President Vázquez has once again shown Uruguay’s commitment to public health by engaging with global leaders to ask them to work together on reducing tobacco use and the burden of NCDs. A major challenge in combating NCDs is encouraging governments to undertake the comprehensive framework of policies necessary to deliver progress. President Vázquez’s intervention today, on this global stage, gives the fight against NCDs – and tobacco use – a welcome boost. We support President Vázquez’s call for action, specifically for countries to fully implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and encourage other governments to join in this commendable initiative.”
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies envisions a world where every person is protected by a strong public health system. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. Vital Strategies was formed when The Union North America and World Lung Foundation joined forces. It is an affiliate of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
To find out more, please visit vitalstrategies.org or Twitter @VitalStrat
For further information or to arrange an interview with a Vital Strategies public health and tobacco control expert, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org