Our Advocacy Program

Lao PDR is one of the last countries in the world that does not have a tobacco control law. This means that it is legal for tobacco companies to advertise cigarettes, for people to smoke in restaurants and work places, for children to buy cigarettes that do not have any health warnings on them. The results of this environment in Lao PDR mean that over 59% of males and 17% of females smoke. This has a huge impact on the already low level of health services and facilities available, and on children and young adults who are breathing in 2nd hand smoke at home, on the bus, at work and in a restaurant or cafe. ADRA has been advocating and working towards several national level initiatives to enable the government of Lao PDR to pass and implement a tobacco control law and other regulations that are in line with the UN’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that was ratified in 2003 by all 192 member nations to the World Health Organisation>>

Our Advocacy Projects

Liveable Cities Program
Laos has the unique advantage of being Asia’s least populated country, with only a very small urban centre and population. ADRA is looking at ways to promote a “liveable-cities” model that nurtures and supports eco-friendly existence and growth for its inhabitants. Keeping the needs and requirements of Laos’ children at the centre of ADRA’s approach will ensure that key issues such as safety and public green...Read the whole story

Ready Start LAW!
In 2009 ADRA was successful in supporting the government to pass a new Tobacco Control Law through its highest decision-making body, the National Assembly. However, passing the law is not enough. The country now has the tough job of putting this new law into practice and then implementing it according to the government’s plan and resources...Read the whole story

SEAGI
The SEA Games Initiative (SEAGI) advocated for a smoke free 2009 SEA Games, held in the Lao PDR, 9-18 December; specifically free of tobacco promotion, sponsorship, advertising, and smoking in public sporting venues and related services. The broad influence and media interest associated with the Games, both within the Lao PDR and internationally, provided...Read the whole story

PALTCIL, Planning and Legislating Tobacco Control in Laos (recently completed)
The tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest public health challenges in the Southeast Asia region. One in four of the deaths that occur from the effects of tobacco occur in this Region . Although there have been no national surveys on tobacco use in Lao PDR, estimates suggest that 59% ...Read the whole story

Advocate for Tobacco Control Law
(recently completed)
In order that the tobacco control law is considered and approved by the National Assembly in 2009, the draft tobacco control law must obtain approval from the Cabinet in September 2008. To facilitate this movement, intensive advocacy activities with policy makers and parliament...Read the whole story

Related Advocacy Program Resources: