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To mark the World No Tobacco Day in Togo, the Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE-TOGO), African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) and the Journalists Network for Tobacco Control in Togo (REJAT-TOGO) in collaboration with the WHO office of Togo, and under the patronage of his Excellency the Minister of Health of Togo, organized a major conference-debate on 31st May 2012 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo in Lome. The theme of the year is: "Interference of the tobacco industry". The Conference was special as it gathered the government, executives of various Ministries and institutions of the Republic and the media. This conference-debate was chaired by the Minister of Health, Professor Charles Kondi Agba in the presence of the Resident-Representative of WHO, Dr Pierre M'Pele.

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The greatest event of the WNTD celebration in Lome by ANCE-TOGO, REJAT and ATCA under the patronage of the Minister of Health of Togo

The celebration of the World No Tobacco Day in Togo was attended by about 150 participants representing various Ministries and technical services of the State, the National Assembly, International Organizations in Lome, Non-Governmental Organizations and about fifty journalists from public and private media (the national television TVT, national radio, the Togolese Press Agency, Togo Presse (national press), TV7 and several other TV stations and private written press).

The opening ceremony presided over by His Excellency the Minister of Health of Togo, was marked by three notable speeches, namely the welcome note of the Executive Director of ANCE-Togo and Executive Secretary of ATCA, the speech of the WHO Representative in Togo and the opening speech of his Excellency, the Minister of Health of Togo.

In his welcome note, the Executive Director of ANCE-Togo and Executive Secretary of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), Mr. Fabrice Kodjo Ebeh thanked the government, civil society organizations and the media for all that is done for tobacco control in Togo. According to him, "Tobacco kills and the tobacco industry should immediately stop all sorts of machinations to undermine health policies".

The second speech was that of Dr. Pierre M’Pele, Representative of the World Health Organization in Togo. In his speech, he said that "there is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and public health policy interest." "That's why I appreciate the willingness of the highest authorities of Togo in the implementation of the FCTC”, he added. Dr Pierre M’Pele said that the representation of the World Health Organization in Togo will continue to support the government and the civil society in all the effort to protect the population against all the aggressive tactics of the tobacco industry.

In his opening speech, His Excellency Professor Charles Kondi Agba, Minister of Health of Togo has welcomed the initiative of organizing activities for this day which is celebrated worldwide. In his speech, Professor Agba raised the damages caused by tobacco use in Togo and worldwide. “Tobacco kills one person every six seconds and almost six million people each year in the world”, said Prof. Agba. According to him, this situation has led the Togolese government to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in November 2005 and to adopt a national law on production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in December 2010. “Unfortunately, these legislative tools and the national tobacco control policy are constantly undermined by the industry”, said the Minister of Health. “But the government will continue to work with the World Health Organization’s representation in Togo and the civil society organizations in order to assure a complete implementation of the FCTC and the national tobacco control law N°2010-017 of December 31, 2010”, added Mr. Agba. The Minister of Health reaffirmed that according to a recent study conducted between December 2010 and January 2011 (STEPS survey) in Togo, tobacco use prevalence (smoked and smokeless) is 6.8% with 12.4% of smokers. Only strict enforcement of the law and adoption of implementing regulations in line with the FCTC can help reverse the trend and promote sustainable development in Togo.

The opening ceremony was followed by two outstanding presentations from the Executive Director of ANCE-Togo and Executive Secretary of ATCA.

The first presentation was on the WHO Framework Convention on tobacco control (FCTC). According to Mr. Ebeh, "the FCTC is the first coordinated global effort to reduce tobacco consumption." Today, this convention has 175 parties representing more than 87.4% of the world population. After recalling the objectives of the FCTC, Mr. Ebeh noted that "it includes a set of measures to reduce supply and demand of tobacco worldwide."

This include tax measures, advertising ban, ban of sponsorship and promotion by tobacco companies, 100% smoke free places, graphic warnings, etc. Togo has ratified the FCTC on November 15, 2005 and adopted the tobacco control act on December 29, 2010. According to Mr. Ebeh, "this political will of the Togolese authorities should continue with a strict application of this law" because, "against the danger of tobacco consumption, we know what works and we have the necessary tools for the fight."

The second presentation was on the theme of the World No Tobacco Day 2012: “Tobacco Industry Interference”. In this presentation, Mr. Ebeh exposed in details all the tactics and strategies used by the industry to undermine the implementation of tobacco control programs. This include infiltration of the national assembly and other government offices to submit its own version of legal tools, intimidation of authorities, signing of agreements with customs and other governmental offices, corruption of government officials etc. According to Mr. Ebeh, Article 28 of the national tobacco bill aims at combating these practices. This article states that «Any employee or representative of the State who violates the provisions of this law by becoming the accomplice of a manufacturer, importer or distributor of tobacco or its derivative products, by participating, authorizing or accepting illicit trade of such products is punishable by imprisonment of three (03) months to two (02) years and a fine of one million (1,000,000) to ten million (10,000,000) FCFA, or only one of these penalties.”

Mr. Fabrice Ebeh took the opportunity to recall the eight (08) recommendations of the Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control for addressing tobacco industry interference in public health policies which are:

Raise awareness about the addictive and harmful nature of tobacco products and about tobacco industry interference with Parties’ tobacco control policies.
Establish measures to limit interactions with the tobacco industry and ensure the transparency of those interactions that occur.
Reject partnerships and non-binding or non-enforceable agreements with the tobacco industry.
Avoid conflicts of interest for government officials and employees.
Require that information provided by the tobacco industry be transparent and accurate.
Denormalize and, to the extent possible, regulate activities described as “socially responsible” by the tobacco industry, including but not limited to activities described as “corporate social responsibility”.
Do not give preferential treatment to the tobacco industry.
Treat State-owned tobacco industry in the same way as any other tobacco industry.

Both presentations were followed by very enriching debates. Participants hoped that the ANCE-Togo becomes more involved in monitoring actions of the tobacco industry and constantly reveal cases of abuse and violation of the law to the press. Participants also stressed urgency to disclose the National Tobacco Control Law of 31st December 2010 and the need to train stakeholders who are involved in its implementation (NGOs, judges, police officers, etc...) for better enforcement of the law.

Several documents and publications relating to the theme of 2012 World No Tobacco Day were given to the participants. In the same line, over two hundred copies of the National Tobacco Control Law No. 2010-017 were distributed to the participants who left the conference room with great satisfaction.

Several interviews were given to private and state owned media by the Director of ANCE-Togo and Executive Secretary of ATCA, the Minister of Health and the WHO Representative. At the end of the ceremony, a live program was organized on the national television TVT and other radio and television broadcasts are scheduled for this Friday 1st June 2012. These programs will be co-organized by ANCE and REJAT-TOGO.

The World No Tobacco Day was organised with financial help from Corporate Accountability International.

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ANCE-Togo: Planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo

On December 8 and 9, 2011, the ANCE organised a planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo in the conference room of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo.

About thirty participants from departmental services, representatives of international organisations in Togo, NGOs and media were present at this workshop about.

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ANCE-Togo: Planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo

On December 8 and 9, 2011, the ANCE organised a planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo in the conference room of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo.

About thirty participants from departmental services, representatives of international organisations in Togo, NGOs and media were present at this workshop about.

On December 8 and 9, 2011, the ANCE organised a planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo in the conference room of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo.

About thirty participants from departmental services, representatives of international organisations in Togo, NGOs and media were present at this workshop about.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was presided over by Mr Fabrice Kodjo EBEH, Executive Director of the ANCE-Togo. In his speech, he pointed out that tobacco use is one of the major scourges that ravage thousands of citizens each year in Togo, but yet the most ignored. He said that according to the WHO, tobacco use kills more than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined, but despite everything, there is no coherent plan to control tobacco use in Togo, there is no budget allocated to control this scourge. Mr EBEH pointed out that if nothing is done to control tobacco use, Togo will not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and its sustainable development goals. That's why, according to him, Togo should introduce tobacco control in development agendas.

Five presentations were made at the workshop during the two days. The first focused on the theme: "Making tobacco control a development priority: Introduction to the Development Campaign" and was developed by Mr Bamba Mamadou SAGNA, Development Campaign Officer of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA). The aim of this communication was to justify the campaign, present its goals and objectives, its stages and the support material to achieve its objectives.

The second presentation focused on the theme "Tobacco and poverty in Togo" and was developed by Mr Augustin NIMON, ANCE-Togo’s Project Officer. The purpose of this presentation was to show the link between tobacco and poverty, a link that many stakeholders ignore. After establishing the link between tobacco and poverty, Mr NIMON showed the negative impacts of tobacco use expenses on the national economy and the basic needs of people with low income in Togo. It is stressed that tobacco use prevalence rate in Togo is 31.3% and that over 90% of smokers are poor and live in rural areas. He finally stressed the importance of including tobacco control in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

Dr Kokou AGOUDAVI, MD, PHPM, National Coordinator for the control of Non Communicable Diseases Programme and Head of the NCD Service / Epidemiology Division, then made a presentation on the "Situation of non communicable diseases (NCD) in Togo". After presenting NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer, Dr AGOUDAVI stressed on their spread in Togo and especially the link between these diseases and tobacco use based on results of STEPS Togo 2010 Survey conducted by his department and validated in September 2011. According to him, the survey results show that tobacco use is a real factor of several NCDs in Togo and it causes many deaths in Togo.

Then, Mr Blaise ATAKOUNA, Communication Officer of the ATCA gave a presentation on "The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)". He made a brief presentation on the FCTC, its origin, its adoption and ratification by Togo on November 15, 2005. He thus developed his communication on four points, namely: Why controlling tobacco, advent of the FCTC, objective of the FCTC and key provisions of the Convention, and why Togo should use this tool to promote public health.

The final presentation focused on "Tobacco Taxation" and was made by Mr Noureiny TCHA-KONDOR, ATCA’s Taxation Campaign Coordinator. In his presentation, Mr TCHA-KONDOR showed that high tobacco taxation significantly contributes to reduce demand leading to lessening tobacco use-related illnesses and mortality rate at the same time.

These presentations were followed by very enriching discussions. By answering the participants, the various presenters brought very specific clarification on the various questions asked to the satisfaction of the participants.

Based on the terms of references two working groups were formed after the debates. The work results will serve as project idea with the aim to insert tobacco control in development agendas in Togo.

At the end of the round of questions and answers, two working groups were formed. Several recommendations were made from these working groups so that the tobacco control message reaches a large number of people and that state stakeholders, mainly policy makers integrate tobacco control into development agendas in Togo.

The closing ceremony was an opportunity for each participant to give his views on the theme and organisation of the workshop. After thanking the participants for their contributions to the success of this workshop, Mr NIMON, on behalf of the Director of ANCE-Togo asked the participants to convey the information on tobacco control in their various institutions before declaring the planning workshop for implementation of the development campaign in Togo closed.

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The World No Tobacco Day Award 2011’s winner in Togo, Mr. Ebeh Kodjo Fabrice received his award today

The World No Tobacco Day Award in 2011 winner Mr. Ebeh Kodjo Fabrice has received his award today November 24, 2011 at the World Health Organization (WHO) country Office in Lomé. The ceremony was attended by many Principal Private Secretaries of Ministers, Members of Togolese Parliament, Health authorities and journalists.

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The World No Tobacco Day Award 2011’s winner in Togo, Mr. Ebeh Kodjo Fabrice received his award today

Mr. Tamakloe, FCTC Focal Point and Program Officer at the WHO country Office in Lomé introduced the award ceremony with a presentation of the recipient, Mr. Ebeh Fabrice, Executive Director of Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE-Togo). It appears from Mr. Tamakloe’s speech that Mr. Ebeh holds a PhD in Environmental Law and has a long experience in tobacco control in Togo, in Africa and worldwide. “Ebeh is a fierce tobacco control activist and this led to many successes by Togo in the field of tobacco control” said Mr. Tamakloe.

The WHO country Representative in Togo, Dr Mpele Pierre, giving the award to the recipient in the name of Dr Margaret Chan, General Director of WHO said that it is a deserved gratitude of the international community not only to Mr. Ebeh, but to all the Togolese population. He warmly congratulated the recipient and strongly advised him to continue his tobacco control actions. “Tobacco is not a good product. It has very bad effects on health and on the Millennium Development Goals. There is thus a need to be mobilized to fight it” said Dr Mpele. He thanked the Togolese government for all his effort in the field and reaffirmed the will of WHO to accompany all the actions which will be undertaken.

After receiving the award, The World No Tobacco Day Award 2011 winner expressed his joy for this award. Mr. Ebeh said that all what has been done in the field of tobacco control has been achieved thanks to the good will and collaboration of the Togolese government. He thus thanked the Minister of Health and all his staff. He also expressed his thanks to Members of Parliament and to media who strongly supported the ratification of the FCTC by Togo in November 2005 and the adoption of a tobacco control bill on December 29, 2010. ”But the fight has just started and we must not give up” said Mr. Ebeh. According to him, there is a need to make accessible to a large audience the new tobacco control bill which will come into force in January 2012. Moreover, for a good implementation of this law, there is a need to elaborate implementation decrees; and for this, all the stakeholders in the fight against tobacco should bring their contribution.

The Togolese Minister of Health was represented at this award ceremony by his Principal Private Secretary Mr. Biao. After congratulating Mr. Ebeh for this award, he thanked WHO for the support given to the country in the field of tobacco control. “This award is a real delight for Togo” he said. Mr. Biao reaffirmed the strong will of the Togolese government to fully implement the provisions of the FCTC. As for the new tobacco control bill, he said that the government is seriously thinking of its implementation, but there is a lack of financial means to undertake activities in this vein. He outlined some the difficulties encountered by the Togolese government and expressed the hope that with this World No Tobacco Day Award 2011, the international community will increase its support to the government for an appropriate implementation of the tobacco control bill.

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ANCE-TOGO, REJAT-TOGO and ATCA celebrate the World No Tobacco Day in Togo

To commemorate the World No Tobacco Day in Togo, the Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE-TOGO), African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) and the Journalists Network for Tobacco Control in Togo (REJAT-TOGO) in collaboration with the WHO office in Togo, under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Health of Togo organized a conference-debate this day of May 31, 2011 at Ibis hotel in Lome, on the theme of the year: “The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control” (FCTC).

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ANCE-TOGO, REJAT-TOGO and ATCA celebrate the World No Tobacco Day in Togo

Tobacco use is one of the world's most serious scourges which take a terrible toll in human lives in the 21st century. According to the report of the World Health Organization (2008), tobacco killed more than six million people, more than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. In Togo, the overall of tobacco use prevalence rate is 31.3% against 14% among youths (9-15 years).
To face up to the global tobacco use epidemic and promote public health worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established a World No Tobacco Day which is celebrated on May 31 every year.

This press conference was attended by 150 participants from all the Togolese departments, representatives of the National Assembly, international organizations in Lome like the Deputy Representative of UNICEF, the Representative of the EU, UNDP, etc.., doctors, customs services officials, NGOs and public and private media.

The opening ceremony was marked by three speeches. The first was the welcoming speech of the Executive Secretary of ATCA, Mr EBEH Kodjo Fabrice. After the history of the Framework Convention and after having congratulated the Government of Togo for having adopted the national tobacco control law, he urged the Togolese authorities to implement all the provisions of the Convention and include tobacco control in development agendas.

The second speech was given by the WHO Representative in Togo, Dr MPELE Pierre. In his speech, he congratulated the Togolese authorities for their political will which led the country to ratify the Convention on November 15, 2005, and adopt the law regulating the production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo on December 29, 2010. Dr MPELE reasserted the commitment of the WHO to support Togo in the implementation of tobacco control.

The third speech was given by the Director General of Health, Dr DOGBE Kokou Sika, representing His Excellency the Minister of Health of Togo. In his speech, Dr DOGBE recalled the objectives of the FCTC before pointing out that among the five main mortality risk factors, tobacco is the cause of death which is the most easily preventable. He added that the Togolese Government has early realized the devastating tobacco use effects and the need to prevent this scourge by ratifying the FCTC and establishing a national law. Dr DOGBE also affirmed that the Ministry of Health will continue its cooperation with ANCE-TOGO to develop the enforcement decree of the law and also cooperate for its implementation.

After the opening ceremony, the participants visited the photos exhibition composed of posters developed by ATCA and ANCE-TOGO which deal with "Miss Tobacco", "Tobacco and the Millennium Development Goals", "The Smoker's Body", and "Health warnings".

After visiting the exhibition, two (02) presentations were given. The first one which deals with the impact of tobacco use was presented by Dr. DJAGADOU Kodjo, Doctor at "Clinique La Référence" in Lome.

The second presentation focused on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and was made by the Executive Secretary of ATCA Mr. EBEH Kodjo Fabrice.

Both presentations were followed by a very enriching debate and exchanges between the participants. During the debate, representatives of the National Assembly reaffirmed their readiness to cooperate with ANCE-TOGO and ATCA for the implementation of the tobacco control law in Togo, and especially work at regional level within the WAEMU and ECOWAS, to promote tobacco control and mainly ensure that tobacco control is integrated into development agendas.

At the end of the conference, the Executive Secretary of ATCA, the representative of the Minister of Health and Dr. DJAGADOU have given interviews to more than twenty public and private media including four television channels.

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To read the press release click here

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Tobacco control activists say no to the interference of the tobacco industry in the implementation of public health policies in Togo

The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA), Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE-Togo) and the Journalists Network for Tobacco Control in Togo (REJAT-Togo), organized on May 18, 2011 in Lome, a press conference in the meeting room of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lomé. The topic of this press conference was: «Tobacco control activists say no to the interference of the tobacco industry in the implementation of public health policies in Togo». Through this press conference attended by thirty (40) journalists from national and international media, tobacco control activists urged the Government to cancel the partnership agreement adopted between British American Tobacco (BAT) and the Togolese Customs Administration.

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Tobacco control activists say no to the interference of the tobacco industry in the implementation of public health policies in Togo

This press conference was organized thanks to a financial support provided by the WHO Country Office in Togo to ANCE-Togo. Indeed, British American Tobacco (BAT) held on 28th and 29th April 2011 a workshop on illicit tobacco trade in Togo. The workshop ended with the signing of a partnership agreement between BAT and the Togolese Customs Administration. According to the Executive Secretary of ATCA, Mr. Ebeh Kodjo Fabrice, «this is totally in opposition to Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.» He said he was «deeply shocked and outraged by this turn of events by the Togolese government after the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the adoption of the Law on production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo by the National Assembly on December 29, 2010.»

During the press conference, tobacco control activists from ATCA, ANCE-Togo and REJAT-Togo informed journalists on the FCTC and its guidelines, and the process which led to its ratification by Togo on November 15, 2005. According to Mr. Kogbe Yaovi Lowanou, Program Director of ANCE-Togo, «It is in the framework of this international convention that the national law on production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo has been adopted by the National Assembly on December 29, 2010. » «The interference of BAT in the implementation of health policies in Togo is thus totally unacceptable», he added.

The main objective of this meeting with the press was to demand the cancellation of the partnership agreement signed between BAT and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and this was done by the Executive Secretary of ATCA Mr. Ebeh Kodjo Fabrice in his opening statement. He said that «it would be a shame for our country to continue this partnership with BAT after all that has been done on legislation for tobacco control in Togo.»

Journalists who attended the press conference gave special interest to the information they were provided. They received documentation about the damages caused by tobacco use and interviewed tobacco control activists who were present at the meeting.

To read the full press statement, please download it here

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ANCE increases awareness raising sessions in Lome and Kara on the tobacco use impacts

The cultural week which took place from March 21 to 25 2011 in several schools of Togo has been an opportunity for ANCE to make youths and pupils in particular in Kara and Lome, aware of the tobacco use social and health impacts, and popularize the tobacco law adopted on December 29, 2010 by the National Assembly.
The awareness raising sessions took place in three (3) private schools in Lome and Kara.

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ANCE increases awareness raising sessions in Lome and Kara on the tobacco use impacts

On March 23, 2011, the ANCE regional office, led by its Regional Coordinator Mr. NIMON Augustin, made the pupils of the school complex Lumière aware of the tobacco use harmful effects. The Regional Coordinator then explained some key concepts such as active tobacco use, passive tobacco use, secondhand tobacco smoke, public place, smoking area, etc. He has also given a detailed presentation on diseases related to the tobacco consumption based on the “Miss Tobacco” poster developed by ANCE with financial support from CTFK. These diseases are among others: cataract, mouth cancer, throat cancer, heart diseases.

Mr. ANATE Dominique, Lawyer from ANCE-Kara’s office, emphasized on the legal point of the fight undertaken by ANCE until the adoption of the law on tobacco in December 2010. He explained the strengths of the Togolese tobacco law to the pupils notably in its articles 8 to 20 and the sanctions provided in case of violation of this law.

In Lome, the conference-debates were co-leaded on March 24, 2011 by Mr. YAO Epiphane, President of the NGO Action d’Aide et d’Appui pour la Réhabilitation des Drogués (ACAARD) and Miss MITCHIKPE Sonia, Lawyer in internship at ANCE.

Miss MITCHIKPE presented the harmful effects of tobacco at school. In her presentation, she provided details on the tobacco situation in the world in general and Togo in particular. She didn’t fail to mention the tobacco use causes at school and the consequences this may have on the education, future and health of the smoker and non-smoker, based on the “Miss Tobacco” poster. Finally, she provided advice on the behaviour to avoid the tobacco use.

Whether in Kara or Lome, the pupils took part in the meeting in large number and asked many comprehension questions on the various aspects presented. In Kara in particular, they expressed their concern over the tobacco promotion in the Kara region with girls often dressed in the tobacco companies’ shirts. They were reassured by the answers given by the ANCE team on the next stages of the NGO activities and reaffirmed their determination to work with ANCE to significantly reduce the tobacco use scourge which consequences are harmful to the society and the economy of Togo.

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The National Assembly adopted the national tobacco control law

This thurday, December 29, 2010, the National Assembly voted the law regulating the production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo.

According to its article 1, the purpose of this law is to "define the appropriate measures for protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic effects resulting from the consumption of tobacco and its derivatives, as well as from exposures to tobacco smoke". It contains some very strict regulations ( total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and its derivatives, ban of smoking in all public places, total ban on tobacco sale to minors, the strict regulation of tobacco point of sales, etc.).

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The National Assembly adopted the national tobacco control law

This thurday, December 29, 2010, the National Assembly voted the law regulating the production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo.

History of the law passed

After the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on November 15, 2005, Togo is expected to have tobacco control legislation under the terms of the convention. On April 16, 2008, the Togolese Council of Ministers has adopted the bill regulating the production, marketing and consumption of tobacco and its derivatives in Togo. This bill has been adopted without any consultation of the stakeholders. In April 2009, the Sociocultural and Development Commission of the National Assembly began to examine this law.

In July 2009, thanks to a grant from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), ANCE has conducted several media campaign activities; training of 50 NGOs, 50 public lawyers and 50 journalists. In addition, with technical support from CTFK, this bill has been reviewed to be into conformity with FCTC, and several advocacy activities have been organized for its adoption. Throughout the process, ANCE has provided the necessary technical assistance. This project which life is one year ended on August 31, 2010 and resulted in the adoption of the tobacco control law on December 29, 2010.

Strengths of the tobacco control law in Togo

Total ban on direct or indirect advertising (article 8);
Total ban on tobacco use promotion and its sponsorship (article 9);
Ban on smoking in public places (article 11);
Absolute ban on tobacco sale to and by children (articles 13 and 14);
Strict regulation of tobacco and its derivatives point of sales (articles 4 and 5);
Strict regulation of the emissions and contents of tobacco products (article 3);
Total ban on granting benefits to tobacco companies (article 16);
Recognition of the legal right response to tobacco control organizations (article 20);
Tobacco must be taxed at the highest rate of the general tax code and the community rules in force(article 18);
Creation of the National Committee for the Anti-Tobacco Campaign.

Rigid sanctions

In case of violation of provisions regulating the emissions of tobacco products and their components, companies can pay between 2000 000 to 15 000 000 FCFA;
Failure to comply with packaging and packing standards is punished by imprisonment from one (01) month to one (01) year and a fine from 500 000 to 10 000 000 FCFA;
Any State representative who violates this law by being part of a tobacco company is liable to three (03) monts to two (02) years sentence and a fine of 1000 000 to 10 000 000 FCFA;
Perpetrator and accomplices of any illicit trade in tobacco products and/or its derivatives are punishable by imprisonment of one (01) month to one (01) year, and/or a fine of 20 000 000 à 100.000.000 F CFA. In addition, all these penalties can be combined for seizure and destruction of the tobacco products that are subject to illicit trade activities, revocation of the right to disclose publicly the case of non-compliance, etc.
In the event of a subsequent offence, all these sentences can be doubled.

Limits of the Togolese law

The Togolese law authorizes the creation of places reserved for smokers in some public places like hotels, restaurants, bars and in boats; However, order from the Minister of Health shall specify the conditions for the creation of these places reserved for smokers in such public places;
The law also grants a transitional period of one year to come into force;
Only messages which cover 50% of the two principal display areas are recognized in article 6, paragraph 3 of the law. The pictograms covering 70% of the two principal display areas in the bill have been deleted by the National Assemblee.

Lessons learnt

It is very difficult to make a law adopted; for this reason, only very strong NGOs must take the step in their country;
Preferably, it is advised that the duration of such project is at least eighteen (18) months. Because, the National Assembly is a particular institution and its agenda can change at any time according to its needs;
The financial partners who give support in terms of legislation promotion should be engaged in a long-term relationship with the beneficiary;
The NGO which takes this step must have a strong relationship with the Ministry of Health, the WHO office in the country, members of parliament and the media.

Next steps

ANCE intends to mobilize the necessary resources to make all orders and decrees under the law passed before 12 months, the date the law will come into force, so that on this date, the Togolese law is fully implemented;
Media communication to disclose the law and training of magistrates to guarantee its implementation;
Technical assistance to the Togolese authorities for implementation of the law (health warnings, smoke-free public places, regulation of points of sales, etc.);
Promotion of litigations against tobacco companies.

NB: A copy of this legislation will be available on our website by the end of january 2011.

Special thanks to CTFK

ANCE and all the Togolese people thank CTFK for their financial and technical support. Through your action and generosity in favor of our country, Togo has now a rigid law that will enable to reduce the tobacco use pandemic in our country and thus, protect present and future generations from tobacco use.

In our local language, to say thank you, we say AKPE, KOUTSE or N'LABALE.

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Press conference on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

This Friday, October 8, 2010, Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE) and the Network of Tobacco Control Journalists in Togo (REJAT-TOGO) held a press conference on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) at the headquarters of ANCE. The press conference concerned the non-interference of the tobacco industry in the domestic policy of States. It was organized with financial support from Corporate Accountability International and was attended by around twenty journalists and private media in Togo.

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Press conference on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

The goal of this press conference was to:

educate the public about the fact that tobacco products are addictive and harmful and that smoking causes disease, disability and death;
make know strategies of the tobacco industry that involve the use of individuals, frontline groups and affiliated organizations to defend the industry’s interests;
prohibit tobacco industry to participate in youth initiatives, education and other tobacco control initiatives, and in any manner whatsoever, in initiatives directly or indirectly related to tobacco control;
avoid providing encouragement, privileges, advantages or exemptions from the tobacco industry. In addition, the signatory countries in which the tobacco industry is held by the State should ensure that investments in favor of the tobacco industry do not prevent them from fully implementing the FCTC.

According to Mr. TEOU-TEOU Essoham, the president of REJAT-TOGO, it is necessary to monitor the tobacco industry activities by NGOs and other civil society members who are not affiliated to the tobacco industry.
ANCE denounces this serious interference of the tobacco industry in the domestic policy of a sovereign States. Article 5.3 of the FCTC urges governments to protect public health policies from any tobacco industry interference.

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Public information conference on the implementation of smoke-free public places in Togo

On Thursday, 8th July 2010, ANCE-Togo held a public information conference on the implementation of smoke-free public places in Togo. This information conference took place in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo with financial support of the African Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI). It was attended by several journalists from public and private media, several ministries, members of Parliament, town councils, hotels and restaurants, trade unions and NGOs.

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Public information conference on the implementation of smoke-free public places in Togo

In his opening speech, the Principal Private Secretary representing the Minister of Health pointed out that tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year worldwide and is the cause of several diseases which affect both smokers and non-smokers. He also appealed all public places managers to take urgent measures to declare all these places smoke-free places. The Minister of Health’s representative has also urged the National Assembly to adopt the tobacco control bill which was introduced by the Government several months.
There were four (04) communications which are:

The status of tobacco-free public places implementation in the world by EBEH Kodjo Fabrice, Executive Secretary of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA);
The Legal framework of tobacco-free public places in Togo presented by EBEH Kodjo Fabrice, Executive Secretary of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA);
The media's role in the implementation of smoke-free public places in Togo by TEOU-TEOU Essoham, President of the Journalists Network for Tobacco Control in Togo (REJAT-Togo);
The experience of Kenya in the implementation of smoke-free public places by Rachel Kitonyo, President of the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) Board.

After these communications, participants asked several practical questions which have been eloquently answered by the presenters. Several interviews were given to the media and all the participants were satisfied with the evidence-based results of the conference. They pledged to promote public smoke-free places in Togo.

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