Dr Bam has been very instrumental in making implementation of 90% pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs in Nepal and 75% pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs in Myanmar a reality. This has set an example that even small countries can make a big difference in global public health.
These are just two of the many successes of Bam in tobacco control and he attributes them to political will and commitment. His stance is--Never blame the politicians without having talked with them and without getting their point of view. Communicating with them in a proper way is very important. Most of the times we make our own impression of the politician without meeting and understanding them and try to impose our own views upon them. This is a wrong approach. We should know our issue well and be able to present it amicably to the politicians. Then only can we make our own strategy of changing their mindset, without compromising with our agenda. Just be straightforward and have a specific goal. Do not beat about the bush. Do not ask the minister to do too many things.
Here is a personal example--"When I met first the Health Minister of Nepal, he was not aware of the complexity of tobacco control. But after I explained to him everything, he became very supportive and asked how he could help the cause. I requested him to do just one thing--increase the size of pictorial warnings on tobacco packs--as it was in his jurisdiction to do so. I told him that this would be a great achievement for Nepal and increase its credibility in the global health community. He agreed immediately."
In Myanmar too the Health Minister was very supportive and asked Bam what was expected of him. When Bam explained to him about tobacco control and its consequences for other public-health programmes, he agreed to help. He proposed to the President for 90% pictorial health warnings, but could finally get sanction for only 75%. But then, even this was no mean achievement.
Learning to share:
From his experience of working in several countries of the Asia-Pacific region, Bam says that understanding the local culture and the local political dynamics are important to change the scenario. There is no one size that fits all and policies have to be adapted to local situations/conditions.
Also personal and organisational commitment and a 'never say die' attitude is key to the success of any public-health programme.
Even as I write this piece, all eyes are on the seventh session of the conference of the parties (COP 7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) - a global anti-tobacco conference - which is currently being held in India, to review the implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. The Health Minister of India has pointed out in his message that "India has recently implemented pictorial health warnings covering 85% of the principal display area of tobacco products packets; set up the 'Global Knowledge Hub for Smokeless Tobacco' which will act as a repository of knowledge related to smokeless tobacco; prohibited the manufacture, sale, distribution and transportation of packaged smokeless tobacco products and launched the National Tobacco Cessation Quitline along with mCessation services, and passed regulation for restricting display of tobacco products or their use in films and television programmes."
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