Excellencies, esteemed colleagues and participants,
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, I am pleased to join you, not only to mark this important event, but also to celebrate key milestones in Georgia’s tobacco control journey.
First, on behalf of the Convention Secretariat, we extend our warmest congratulations to the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) for winning the World No Tobacco Day award this year in recognition of your outstanding contribution to strengthening tobacco control in Georgia.
That contribution includes the passage of regulations earlier this month supporting the implementation of plain packaging for tobacco products.
This well-deserved recognition for Georgia is also important for other countries as it demonstrates that political will and commitment translate into strong tobacco control measures.
Of course, strong efforts and support of national stakeholders and international partners are also key to achieving these policy changes.
These regulations mean that when the calendar turns to 2023, Georgia will join the 22 other countries that have implemented plain packaging measures – an intervention that gives other countries even more confidence to follow suit, certain of the legal status and impact.
Over the last few years, the Convention Secretariat has had the privilege of working closely with the dedicated team at NCDC through the FCTC 2030 project – made possible through the generous contribution of the governments of Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom – and serving to strengthen implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
We have witnessed first-hand NCDC’s commitment and efforts to close the gaps in the country’s tobacco control law, with the aim of protecting present and future generations from the devastating consequences of tobacco.
Georgia has also been increasing taxes on tobacco products – in fact, the proportion of tax to retail price has been rising steadily. We encourage Georgia to continue reducing the affordability of tobacco products to further cut consumption and prevent initiation in tobacco use by the young.
But tax increases are also a win for the government by helping generate revenue for sustainable development – more important than ever as we transition out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic contraction.
Georgia and NCDC have set an example in the region and globally by using the WHO FCTC as a guide and coordinating whole-of-government, whole-of-society actions to achieve the targets.
To deepen the gains made by Georgia in tobacco control, I strongly encourage Georgia to become a Party to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Only together can we effectively combat the global tobacco epidemic – and counter the tobacco industry. Make no mistake: the tobacco industry continues to pose a real threat – it will fight to protect its economic interests and try to undermine policy initiatives such as those we celebrate today.
This year, World No Tobacco Day focuses on the harm done by tobacco
to the environment – harm that is inflicted across the tobacco value chain from production to disposal. There is much that governments and the communities they represent can do to mitigate those harms.
I am pleased to note that NCDC has recognized the impact of tobacco on the environment and begun to raise awareness starting with the establishment of a special unit in 2018 to undertake this work. I am sure we will see many new initiatives in this important area.
With that, thank you for inviting me and congratulations once again on your accomplishments!