UCT teams up with WHO to help improve smoking cessation strategies in the Balkans and Malta

Dr Cristina Martinez from the ICO-WHO Collaborating Centre delivered an influential presentation on capacity building for tobacco cessation services at the recent workshop held on 25-26 June. The event, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, aimed to improve tobacco cessation strategies in the Balkan countries and Malta.

Dr Martinez’s presentation focused on strategies for equipping health care providers with the skills and knowledge needed to implement tobacco cessation interventions effectively. She emphasised the importance of comprehensive training programmes, government support and the integration of cessation services into routine health care. The workshop included various sessions, presentations and discussions that highlighted best practices and challenges faced by different countries in establishing effective national tobacco cessation strategies.

The urgency of such initiatives is underlined by the high prevalence of smoking in some Balkan countries, which exceeds 40%. Dr Martinez’s findings were part of a broader initiative to strengthen regional tobacco control efforts, with the aim of reducing the health burden caused by smoking.

The event brought together health ministry officials and experts from several Balkan countries and Malta, fostering cooperation and knowledge-sharing to more effectively combat tobacco addiction.