FEBRUARY 2012 - On 8 February 2012 the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved the National Action Plan on Tobacco Control 2012-2016, which contains measures to ensure full compliance with the WHO FCTC. The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Convention Secretariat supported development of the Action Plan.

The adoption of the Action Plan will soon be followed by the launching of a nationwide communication campaign to raise awareness of the effects of tobacco use on health. Another of the key elements of the new Action Plan is the development of WHO FCTC-compliant national tobacco-control legislation.

The adoption of the Action Plan is a major step forward in promoting implementation of the treaty in the Republic of Moldova. It builds upon the recommendations of a needs assessment mission jointly undertaken by the Convention Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, with support provided also by the WHO Country Office.

More information is available from Dr Ion ?alaru, Focal Point for Tobacco Control, National Centre of Public Health (ishalaru@cnsp.md).