The Regional Committee,
Having considered the Regional Director's report on the progress made on the regional Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1990-1994 as well as the proposed Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999;*
Recalling resolutions WHA46.8 and WPR/RC43.R6;
Noting that, despite encouraging progress made in the implementation of the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1990-1994, the per capita tobacco consumption is still increasing in the Western Pacific Region;
Realizing that tobacco use will continue to be a major public health concern in the Region;
Noting also that the draft Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999 provides a reliable framework for continued concerted action by all countries and areas in the Region;
- ENDORSES the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999;
- URGES Member States to take all steps necessary to implement the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999,bearing in mind the varying circumstances of different countries and areas in the Region, especially with regard to establishing comprehensive national tobacco control policies and programmes; data collection; advocacy and education; legislation; and pricing policies;
- (1) sparing no effort in implementing policies and legislation that ban tobacco advertising in all media and the sponsorship of sports and cultural events, thus supporting the call for a tobacco-advertising-free Region by the year 2000;
- (2) applying a percentage of tobacco tax to fund health promotion activities as well as sports and cultural activities as an alternative source of sponsorship to tobacco industry funding;
- REQUESTS the Regional Director:
- (1) to cooperate with Member States in implementing the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999;
- (2) to develop a mechanism to facilitate and coordinate the exchange of information which is integrated into the health-for-all and New horizons in health strategies in the Region;
- (3) to monitor annually the implementation of the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999;
- (4) to seek extrabudgetary sources of funding to support
- (a) the implementation of the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999 in the Region; and
- (b) a study on the socioeconomic impact of tobacco use in the Region;
- (5) to report to the Regional Committee in 1997 on the status of implementation of the Action Plan on Tobacco or Health for 1995-1999.