Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

I had the honor of representing the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund at the Boao Forum for Asia. This gathering brought together governments, civil society groups, businesses, and academic institutions to chart a course for a healthier future. I participated in two panel discussions. During the first, "Achieving Health for All - Health Promotion and Sustainable Development," I underscored the significance of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the comprehensive implementation of the World Health Organization’s MPOWER measures to effectively reduce tobacco consumption and smoking rates.    The second panel, “Theory and Practice of Integrating Health Concepts into City Governance,” allowed me to share New York City's experiences in building a healthy city and implementing health policies that contribute to increased life expectancy.   Engaging with and learning from this diverse group of global health leaders was inspiring. The exchange of ideas and best practices has reinforced my belief that, together, we can achieve a future where every nation prioritizes the health and well-being of its citizens.

The introduction of so-called “smart vapes” couldn’t be dumber. E-cigarette makers have started selling illegal products with video games and other smartphone features “so clearly geared toward young people,” researchers report.   The FDA must act now to take these and every other illegal product off the market.

⭐ Program Spotlight: Food and Nutrition ⭐ Our Food and Nutrition team is based all over the world to help pass meaningful healthy food policies in the regions we work. In this video, they celebrate our #10YearsofImpact by sharing the achievements they are most proud of.

A new report from the FDA says they are making progress on e-cigarette applications.    Meanwhile, the industry is flooding the market with illegal e-cigarettes that come with kid-friendly flavors, potent nicotine doses and even video games and other smartphone features.   This blatant disregard for the law is unacceptable and action is needed now to protect kids.

As if e-cigarettes weren’t kid-friendly enough already, they now come with video games, Bluetooth and other smartphone-like features that make them even more appealing to kids.   These products can deliver massive doses of nicotine that quickly addict kids — and they’re on the market illegally. That’s unacceptable. The FDA and other agencies must act now to take these and other illegal products off the market.   Check out the study in Tobacco Control to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXMCefgE

I’m feeling inspired and energized after strategic planning meetings with our Pakistan partners! This was my first trip in my new job as Executive VP of Global Tobacco Control Programs Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and I was very impressed with the passion and talent of our partners on the ground. I know we’ll see lots of movement in passing and implementing evidence-based public health policies in Pakistan in the coming years. It was also great to meet our peer organizations and collaborators in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use: Thank you Bloomberg Philanthropies for your support in addressing the most solvable public health issue in the world: tobacco use!

Come join our International Legal Consortium team at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids – and help us support lawyers and advocates from around the world to promote strong, evidence-based tobacco control policies founded on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Are you or someone you know a good fit? Let us know and please share! https://lnkd.in/g3HCvdMi

Tobacco companies claims they support a “smoke-free future.” But to investors, they can’t stop bragging about their smoking business. The truth is they still aggressively promote cigarettes, target kids and fight policies to reduce smoking in the U.S. and around the world.    Help us stop Big Tobacco at tfk.org/get-involved

We joined with six public health groups in a letter to FDA raising concerns that Philip Morris International has made misleading claims about its IQOS heated cigarettes, which it plans to introduce in the U.S. soon. The last thing we need is yet another tobacco product that addicts kids and misleads consumers about health risks.

⭐ Program Spotlight: Food and Nutrition ⭐ Our Food and Nutrition team offers ongoing capacity-building for advocates through workshops on media advocacy, research translation, legal symposiums and trainings to counter the food and beverage industry. Recently, our legal team hosted an inaugural Asia Legal Symposium, providing legal professionals an opportunity to connect and learn how to use law to advance public health policies and transform food systems. Read about it in our latest blog (and watch some of the event): https://lnkd.in/ehwtqdgR #10YearsofImpact