Eight Tobacco Cessation Trainers were trained by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently as part of the Minister of Public Health’s Tobacco Cessation 100% Smoke Free Schools Initiative.
The workshop represented another major step forward in the implementation of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the country, in particular of Article 14, Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation, and Article 12(d), which states that each Party shall promote and strengthen public awareness of tobacco control issues, including through effective and appropriate training or sensitization and awareness programs.
Facilitator Dr. Adriana Blanco, advisor in Tobacco Control PAHO Washington DC, conducted the three-day workshop.
Collective Prevention Services (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (MinVSA), is spearheading an initiative of Minister of MinVSA Hon. Cornelius de Weever to implement 100% Smoke Free Schools by 2014.
As part of the Minister’s "Get Checked," campaign, the people have the power to change the aforementioned circumstances, and the logical step is creating smoke-free public spaces.
Minister Cornelius de Weever: "PAHO and Sint Maarten are working together in many areas to improve overall health care. I would like to thank the facilitator of this workshop and I know we can all benefit from tobacco cessation," Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Monday.
The Trainers are now prepared to sensitize and inform partners and stakeholders in health about tobacco control, and assist in and support tobacco cessation activities.
The three-day workshop comprised of nine modules covering the following areas: The role of primary health care providers in tobacco and tobacco dependence treatment; Basics of tobacco control and tobacco dependence treatment; Overview of tobacco interventions; Asking, advising and assessing readiness to quit; Dealing with low motivation; Assisting and arranging for follow-up; Addressing non-smokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke; Introduction to pharmacotherapy; and promoting brief tobacco interventions in the community.