The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Since 2000 the Association for Civil and Political Culture of Moldova and Moldova Health Communication Network have organized a contest of drawings and essays “Let's Grow without Tobacco” targeted at children and youth. The organizers of the contest decided to bring into play the popularity of the event and use it as an example of public opinion about smoking be to be shared with decision makers and politicians.

Methods: The organizers of the contest started gathering signatures in the support of the ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control among the contest participants and their families and friends. This idea was suggested by the participants of the contest in 2004. The same participants prepared a letter to the President of the country which was first shared with the public during the contest awards ceremony in 2005. The same day the letter was disseminated through the network of NGOs working in the social sphere (1000 people).

Results: The initiative was supported by a large number of organizations and individuals. The letter which these signatures and albums with the artwork of the contest participants were given to the head of the parliamentary commission on health. This initiative was used by a member of the Moldovan parliament as a significant argument in the support of the law banning smoking in public places and complete banning of tobacco advertising. This law also requires the increase of the space allocated for the heath hazard warning message on a cigarette pack up to 40%.