Chairing the opening plenary at the ‘International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century: The Endgame for Tobacco’, Dr Nata Menabde, WHO Representative to India said, “As in the John Lennon song, ‘You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us…’, the time has now come that we can dare to dream of a tobacco-free world. With our strong intentions and concerted efforts we can do it!”
The plenary ‘Preparing for a Tobacco-Free World: From FCTC to Tobacco Endgame’ was co-chaired by JVR Prasada Rao, UN Special Envoy.
Speaking at the session, Dr Menabde pointed out that the global movement is now gearing up to explore the concept of the ‘Tobacco Endgame’, which envisions reducing tobacco prevalence and availability to minimal levels.
She also highlighted that India’s smokeless tobacco (gutka) ban can be considered as a big step towards tobacco endgame setting an example for other countries.
