The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Coinciding with the World No-Tobacco Day, which is observed on 30th of May every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.
Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, Minister of Health and the Chairperson of the Bhutan Narcotic Control Authority ( BNCA), has been conferred 2017 World No-Tobacco Day Award on 30th May 2017 for the nation’s initiative in implementing measures to ban production and sale of tobacco in the country.
The health ministry release said, “The award is a fitting tribute to the foresight and wisdom of our visionary monarchs.”
The Ministry of Health said it dedicates this award to all the stakeholders and their collective efforts in translating the tobacco control legislations into actions.
Particular credit for this achievement is endowed to the policy makers for shaping the Tobacco Control Act 2010, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media for implementing the act and the Department of Revenue and Customs, Department of Trade, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Royal Bhutan Police and the Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency (BNCA) for their strict enforcement and regulatory functions.
This award is a special recognition from the international community for Bhutan’s endeavour to ban tobacco production and trade in the country.
The ministry said the achievement is also symbolic of the wisdom of the Bhutanese people in realizing the harmful effects of the use of tobacco. “The award, therefore, is a source of encouragement and motivation for us to work even harder in eradicating the use and sale of tobacco to improve the overall health of the Bhutanese people,” said the release.
