The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Deborah Chen MPH Executive Director

1. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Deborah Chen MPH Executive Director The Heart Foundation of Jamaica Project Director The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Healthy Caribbean Conference - Oct 27 – 28, 2010 Barbados

2. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project • The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (for The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control) was successful in receiving a grant from The Bloomberg Global Initiative (April 2008) • This is a Regional project in association with the IAHF/FCTC Caribbean Tobacco Network

3. The Bloomberg Global Initiative The Bloomberg Grant • The grant is to ensure the implementation of rotating picture-based package warnings on tobacco products sold in four Caribbean countries. • This grant is administered through The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

4. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project

5. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Our Regional Partners Our Regional Project Partners GUYANA

6. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project

7. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) was established in 1971. Member of The InterAmerican Heart Foundation. Member The World Heart Federation. HFJ is involved in prevention programmes for cardiovascular disease. The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) was launched on May 31, World No Tobacco Day, 2002.

8. The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners The InterAmerican Heart Foundation based in Dallas USA, was established in 1994. Its mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the Americas.

9. The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc. (HSFB) is a non profit organisation and was founded in 1985. The HSFB is a member of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) for tobacco control.

10. The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners The Guyana Chest Society was established in 1921 for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis. It is a non-profit non-governmental organization. It is affiliated with The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.

11. The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectOur Project Partners The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary service organization whose main purpose is to promote the early detection of cancer through screening, education and advocacy. It was established in 1971.

12. PACKAGING & LABELING Rationale Prominent health warnings and messages on tobacco product packages have been found to lead to an increased awareness of risks and an increased desire to quit

13. Examples of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs

14. The Bloomberg Global Initiative Project Objective • The Bloomberg Project’s primary objective is to achieve a strong CARICOM cigarette labelling standard • To ensure implementation of the standard or equally strong requirements in the four target countries.

15. The Bloomberg Global Initiative This project aims to ensure the implementation of rotating picture-based package warnings on tobacco products sold in Caribbean countries, of a minimum size of 50% of the top of each main face of the packaging.

16. A coalition - where to start??? • What are objectives of the organisation – and proposed coalition • What do you want to achieve • Is your objective in keeping with what obtains locally, regionally, internationally • Will you be able to convince others that funding is necessary?

17. Identification of sources of funding • Local/regional/international • Write proposal based on guidelines given – review what exists in the particular area • Collaboration with others in the same field

18. Choice of partners/members • Categories • Stakeholders • Consultants • Organisations • Associated organisations • International/regional alliances

19. The Caribbean Tobacco Control ProjectKey Organisations • Caribbean Cardiac Society • Caribbean College of Family Physicians, • Roswell Park Cancer Institute • Regional and country offices of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization • Non-Smokers' Rights Association (Canada).

20. Criteria for choice of coalition partners • Involvement in the area of interest • Respected persons affiliated with the particular organisation (staff and board of directors) • Accountability - AGM/financial reports • Active board members • No conflict of interest Due diligence on choice of partner

21. Structure and systems • Contracts/sub contracts (legal considerations – countries have different laws) • Job descriptions • Regular staff evaluations • Clearly define roles, responsibilities and reporting lines • Ensure that partners stay focused on the objectives

22. Internal mid term review • Audit by funding agency • Proper record keeping and filing essential • Evaluated on objectives/outputs • Adjust/amend objectives as appropriate

23. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Project Staffing • The project office is situated at the HFJ with responsibility for implementation in four Caribbean countries. • The office is staffed by a Project Manager and a Communications Officer. The Executive Director of HFJ is the Project Director and oversees the entire project. • Each of the other three countries has a Project Officer in the designated NGO.

24. The Bloomberg Global Initiative Project Staff Project Consultant - Beatriz Champagne Project Director- Deborah Chen Project Manager- Barbara McGaw Communications Officer- Dawn Williams Project Officer Barbados- Nadia Adams Project Officer Guyana- Darshanand Rampersaud Project Officer T & T- Rosemarie Gajar

26. The Caribbean Tobacco Control Project This project has the commitment of the Ministries of Health of: • Guyana • Barbados • Jamaica • Trinidad and Tobago. The four target countries together represent more than 78.3% (4,986,000) of the population of the English speaking Caribbean

27. Communication - ESSENTIAL for success • Central role of regional communications officer • Email • Skype • Conference calls if available • Face to face meetings periodically • Update the CEO/Board of partners on regular basis • Training

28. Advocacy role • Develop key relationships • Liaise with other civil society organisations • Financial issues • Sub contract • Accountability essential – protect reputation

29. Financial contd. • Operational/financial maturity of organisation (or potential) • Monthly/quarterly reporting schedule • Money transfers to NGO • Admin fee to cover basic operating expenses – details internal to NGO

30. Salaries sent quarterly • Specific project activities can be reimbursed • Budget needed • Invoices • Best/helpful if NGO has a cash flow of it’s own

31. Potential Challenges • Lack of support from respective governments and their agencies • Lack of support from other civil society organisations • Cultural differences • Careful to respect each organisations “autonomy” while keeping project focused on objectives • Mutual respect essential

33. Caribbean Tobacco Control Project –Committed to a Smoke Free Caribbean