The FCTC negotiations have already unleashed a process that has resulted in visible differences at country level. The success as a tool for public health will depend on the energy and political commitment that we devote to implementing it, in countries in the coming years. A successful result will be global public health gains for all.
- WHO's Director General, Dr Lee
The project is being implemented in follow-up to the commitment made by the south-eastern European Ministers of Health when they signed the Dubrovnik Pledge within the framework of the Stability Pact Initiative for Social Cohesion. Implementation of the project started on 1 April 2005, after the Decision on Component One of the project was agreed in Chissinau in November 2004 by all National Health Coordinators from the SEE countries, the Government of Norway, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Council of Europe.