Dili, March 25, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Ministry of Health held a meeting with the City Government level to develop policies and action plans to combat tobacco use and other risk factors for non-communicable diseases.
The Ministry of Health through the Deputy for Operational Health Institutions said that the emerging and complex challenges are related to tobacco consumption which contains 70% risk.
“Timor-Leste faces new and complex challenges in tobacco consumption which is a risk factor for 70% of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic respiratory, these diseases not only affect the quality of life of citizens but also represent a great significance to the health system and the national economy.” Said the Deputy Minister of Health Operational Institution
He said the Timor-Leste government was taking an important step towards ratifying the current health organization convention on tobacco control.
“Recognizing this reality, the government of Timor-Leste took an important step to ratify the latest convention of the health organization on tobacco control. Our National Parliament also re-ratified the World Health Organization convention through resolution number 13/2004 dated December 29 through law number 14/2016 which gives authority to the Ministry of Health on tobacco control. This law leads us to develop measures to protect the population from tobacco smoke, regulate the commercialization of tobacco consumption to promote a healthier environment for all of us.” Said the Deputy Minister
On the other hand, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Arvind Mathur said that NCDs increased by 51.1%.
“According to WHO data in 2021, NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, multichronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer increased to 51.1% of deaths in Timor-Leste, it is clearer that 1000 people died. Although tobacco is a risk of NCD prevention, it still maintains good public health, especially in vulnerable populations that do not provide support for economic growth and sustainable development.” Said the WHO Representative
He also said that WHO recommends that regional leaders implement policies in the public space regarding tobacco.
“Evidence from countries where local leaders are now implementing WHO recommended policies, including public spaces that do not display tobacco, making strong efforts to ban tobacco propaganda, raising public awareness through education, strong communities and ensuring implementation of NCD prevention and control in line with integrated health services,” he added.
The ceremony was also attended by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Framework Convention on Tabacco Control (FCTC) and the City Government. The ceremony also conveyed support for reducing tobacco, because the highest percentage of tobacco in the world is Timor Leste, including in second place.
Reported by : Nelia
Picture by : Nelia