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Conference FeedbackOn the final day of the conference ASH New Zealand published a conference newsletter. Following is some of the feedback they collected from delegates and keynote speakers about their experiences over the preceding three days. The conference has been excellent, and the organisers are to be congratulated. One can sense the strength of the region’s tobacco control community, and the potential for important gains.
The Oceania Smokefree conference is a wonderful opportunity to work together on controlling the biggest killer of Pacific Peoples in NZ and the Pacific. The Smokefree Oceania brand is inspirational and will help rally all peoples in Oceania. Colin Tukuitonga, Chief Executive, Ministry of Pacific island Affairs, New Zealand
This has been a very friendly and welcoming conference, packed with many high quality presentations and lessons for the future. There’s been a good mix of research and practice, and some thought-provoking sessions on new policy options. I’ve come away with some new ideas for further research and a renewed sense of admiration for the work going on in our part of the world. Thanks to the organisers and participants for making it such a great meeting.
My impressions are of high quality presentations that have generated discussion, engagement and renewed energy and commitment. The direction of our cessation work has been strongly affirmed – more smokers need to make more quit attempts.
Pacific communities are at varying stages of tobacco prevention and control, however forums like this conference allow us to share lessons learned and tools for success. Our cultural seminars bridge the Ocean, our cultural difference strengthen those bridges.
I’d like to take this opportunity to share my acknowledgement to the organisers for their excellent job. It is an eye opener for many participants from the Pacific Islands. We find it an opportunity to share knowledge and vision and also to discover new contacts and networks. The conference was well timed for some of us from Pacific Islands who are still looking forward to passing a tobacco Bill in our country. On behalf of the Solomon Island participants and Pacific friends, I’d like to thank the Government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Health and the supporters of the conference. Without this generous support this conference would not happen. Thank you and togi tumos.
Congratulations and thank you to New Zealand and the Smokefree Oceania Tobacco Control Conference organisers. The conference was dynamic, encouraging, refreshing and relevant to the common goals of the participants – to address tobacco use, one of the most important health issues, and to oppose the tyranny of the tobacco industry which is targeting and trapping the peoples of Oceania and the Pacific and inflicting health and economic damage on their lives – all for greed and profit-making. The conference was appropriately held in New Zealand, one of the strongest nations challenging the tobacco industry within its borders and externally. The many interesting, informative and relevant sessions were conducted by experts from the field, policy makers and researchers. It was a privilege to participate. Thank you.
The conference has provided a forum with a strong Pacific and Indigenous focus. For the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), seeing the delegates fully support the concept of a pacific tobacco control network is a really significant step forward. The proposal of funding for the network is to be submitted to the Bloomberg tobacco control initiative and will enable increased media advocacy, knowledge exchange, sharing of pacific resources, a regional meeting and a grant mechanism to assist countries with implementing the FCTC. Jeanie McKenzie, Secretariat of the Pacific Community |
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