As Members of the European Network of Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP), we travelled to Ljubljana in October to attend their capacity building session. EFA’s Daniela Morghenti participated at the ENSP capacity building event and had the opportunity to know more about the current discussions held by the Slovenian government towards a tobacco free legislation.
The Slovenian Minister of Health, Milojka Kolar Celarc, stated that tobacco causes the premature deaths of at least ten people per day in Slovenia, representing huge costs for the health sector and employers who have to finance long-lasting sick leaves caused by tobacco-related diseases, and 3,600 people dying annually. Every fifth death is caused by lung cancer, which is, in 90% of cases, related to smoking. EFA fully appreciates the human and individual burden and challenges for the patients themselves behind these figures.
During the event, Daniela presented the Written declaration on chronic respiratory diseases campaign to ENSP Members, as ENSP is partner in the campaign to have a quorum at the European Parliament supporting and signing the written declaration. Daniela explained what is a Written Declaration, why it is important members are involved, and the coordination methodology should be implemented by ENSP members and ENSP, and between ENSP and EFA.
To know more about ENSP Capacity Building session please visit: http://www.ensp.org/node/1213