Thank you, moderator.
Dr Jelena Borovinić, Honourable Minister of Health of Montenegro,
Dr Mina Brajovic, WHO Representative,
Excellencies, esteemed colleagues, dear participants.
I feel very privileged to be here with you today for the launch of the FCTC 2030 project in Montenegro.
Let me start by congratulating the Government of Montenegro for being selected to be part of the FCTC 2030 project.
This selection reflects your commitment to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – or WHO FCTC – that you ratified in October 2006.
Tobacco is one of the greatest public health threats the world has ever faced, and it continues to be so even amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Evidence has shown that, over 80% of the world’s tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, where the regulatory measures to protect their citizens from the dangers of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoking are not strong.
Consequently, over 80% of the world’s tobacco-related mortality is occurring in low- and middle-income countries, such as Montenegro.
Among the countries of the WHO European Region, Montenegro has one of the highest prevalence rates of tobacco smoking among adults – currently at 35.4%.
As we all know, the tobacco industry increasingly targets women and children in countries with developing and transitional economies.
Montenegro is no exception.
Ladies and gentlemen, the health hazards of tobacco use also induce massive economic losses in countries and present significant barriers in the capacity of countries to achieve the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals.
Urgent action is needed right now.
As a Party to the WHO FCTC since 2006 – and to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products since 2017 – Montenegro is encouraged to use a whole-of-government approach to reverse the current trend of the tobacco epidemic
by adopting and implementing strong policies that will offer a longer and healthier life to its citizens.
I am aware that in 2019, Montenegro adopted a Law on Limiting the Use of Tobacco Products, which introduced a comprehensive ban on smoking in public spaces and workplaces.
Congratulations on this important step forward.
Through the FCTC 2030 project that we are launching today, the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC and its partners will provide targeted technical and financial assistance to the Government of Montenegro to support its efforts to accelerate the development and
implementation of strong regulatory policies for tobacco control.
Tobacco control can contribute substantially to sustainable development both at the national and international levels.
And, as the world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, let us redouble our efforts to curb the tobacco epidemic by including implementation of the WHO FCTC in building-back-better efforts during the recovery processes.
I am confident that despite these difficult times, Montenegro will make the most of its participation in the FCTC 2030 project and bring about lasting change that will improve the health and well-being of its people.
I would also like to thank the Governments of Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom for their generous funding of the FCTC 2030 project and to recognize our partners in this project, WHO and the United Nations Development Programme.
The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC stands shoulder to shoulder with Montenegro in its work to advance public health in your country through accelerated implementation of the WHO FCTC.
Thank you.