Within the framework of SESRIC’s Tobacco Free OIC Capacity Building Programme (TF-CaB), SESRIC, in collaboration with the Turkish Green Crescent Society (YEŞİLAY), organised a Training Course on “Protecting Second-hand Smokers and Reducing Tobacco Use in Public Places” on 11 - 13 July 2023 through an online video conferencing platform.

The training course was provided by competent experts from the Turkish Green Crescent Society (YEŞİLAY) for the benefit of 89 experts and executives from the relevant Ministries and National Institutions in charge of tobacco control in 27 OIC Member Countries.

The primary goal of this training course was to underscore the significance of educating the public about the detrimental impacts of second-hand smoke exposure. It seeks to advocate for the implementation of comprehensive smoke-free regulations in communal spaces, and to furnish participants with the requisite expertise and understanding to assist smokers on their journey towards cessation. Furthermore, the course was designed to amplify consciousness about the perils associated with tobacco consumption, and to inspire individuals to champion the cause of fostering healthier societies.

The training course covered the following topics:

• Introduction to Tobacco Control
• Understanding the Health Risks of Second-hand Smoke
• Enforcement and Compliance

In addition, the training course incorporated experience-sharing sessions, which proved to be an invaluable component. During these sessions, competent experts from Jordan, Pakistan, Uganda and Jordan shared their valuable experiences and practices regarding protecting and reducing public tobacco use. This knowledge exchange allowed participants to gain insights into successful strategies and initiatives implemented by these experts in their respective institutions and countries. By learning from these experiences, participants were equipped with a broader perspective on effective tobacco control measures. The contributions made by these experts greatly enriched the training course, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in tackling public tobacco use. Overall, these experience-sharing sessions played a crucial role in enhancing the participants’ knowledge and fostering collaboration among OIC Member Countries in the fight against tobacco consumption.

The Tobacco Free OIC Capacity Building Programme (TF-CaB) was developed and initiated by SESRIC in 2010 in response to the spread of the tobacco epidemic in the OIC Member Countries. Within this framework, the Centre organises capacity-building activities for the benefit of the staff of the relevant national institutions in charge of tobacco control in the OIC Member Countries by using various modalities such as training courses, training workshops, and study visits. For more information on SESRIC’s Tobacco Free OIC Capacity Building Programme (TF-CaB), please visit: https://www.sesric.org/cbp-tfo.php

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