Pfizer sponsors 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health

The conference has been organized every three years since the mid-1960s, and this time will gather tobacco control researchers, activists, educators, policymakers, leaders and civil society members from around the world. The WCTOH 2009 theme is Global Tobacco Control: Multi Sectoral Approach to Tobacco Control: Policies, Pathways, Partners and People.

Commenting on this initiative, Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, Director of External Affairs at Pfizer Middle East said, "We strongly believe in the importance of working with all involved parties and equipping all those involved in anti-smoking initiatives with the necessary tools in order to fight this fatal addiction and enhance tobacco control in both developing and developed countries."

In addition to the sponsorship for the World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH), Pfizer has introduced the latest anti-smoking breakthrough treatment Champix (Varenicline) - the first nicotine-free drug that has already helped millions of smokers around the world quit the habit.

Sessions to be sponsored by Pfizer during WCTOH include: Breathe Uruguay Symposium: A Novel and Interactive Program to Prevent Tobacco Use in Youth, and Tobacco-free Workplaces: to discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing tobacco-free policies at the worksite (latest research related to tobacco-free worksites, and access to cessation at the workplace).

It is worthy to note that Pfizer has supported 13 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2009 by awarding $7m to help focus on improving both treatment and prevention for cancer patients through its Global Health Partnerships grants program (GHP).