Ресурсный центр по контролю над табаком
Tobacco control resource centre

We, representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, attending the Sixth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control:

	Being deeply concerned with tobacco epidemic causing public health decline and deterioration of social security in our countries and the region as a whole,
	Understanding similarity of political, economic, social and cultural determinants of tobacco expansion and tobacco control in our countries,
	Being aware of tobacco control initiatives and efforts implemented in the region by governments, national and international CSOs,
	Taking into consideration WHO efforts aimed at consolidation of regional tobacco control efforts of the governments and CSOs,
	Wishing to provide practical targeted support to activities of governments of our countries, and international anti-tobacco community, as well as WHO, World Bank, EC, other international organisations and donors in the region and specific countries,
	Aiming at consolidation of existing tobacco control efforts and at development of new region- and country-specific tobacco control initiatives,
	Understanding the need for collaboration and concerted activity and positions of CSOs of our countries in tobacco control,
	Taking into account the under-representation of our countries' and regional needs in global and European public health and tobacco control debate and activities,
	Understanding the need to counteract region- and country-specific tobacco industry strategies,

Join together on the basis of Geneva Declaration on Establishing Coalition «For Smoke Free Eastern Europe and Central Asia». 

The Principles for the Coalition activities:

	Transparency of Coalition activities,
	Equality of CSOs of partnering countries,
	Equal representation of CSOs of specific countries in Coalition co-ordinating body. Participating CSOs of each country have one representative on Board of Coalition. Participating CSOs of each country make decisions on their representation on Board of Coalition,
	Board of Coalition makes decisions on Coalition membership, activities and further development,
	Consensus in developing joint positions and statements,
	Independence of each CSO in determining its position on tobacco control,
	Network principle of organisation of activities, absence of hierarchy,
	Each CSO - member of Coalition coming with a specific initiative on tobacco control, if it is supported by Board of Coalition, provides technical means for implementation of this initiative,
	Absence of support of Coalition and its members from tobacco and advertising industry,
	Exclusion of CSOs not adhering to the Principles of Coalition.

Activities of Coalition are determined by Board of Coalition, and include the following: 

	Developing joint position statements on tobacco control,
	Speaking out on behalf of CSOs of countries of the region, participating in the Coalition,
	Partnership with national governments, private business, CSOs, mass media, and also with WHO, WB, EC, and other organisations and agencies in development and implementation of regional and country-specific tobacco control activities and projects,
	Evaluation of project proposals and activities on tobacco control in the region and specific countries,
	Exposing tobacco industry activities in the region and specific countries,
	Exchange of information and experience in tobacco control at the regional and international levels,
	Collaboration with governmental, intergovernmental, private business, mass media and other parties interested in tobacco control,
	Promotion of FCTC development, adoption, ratification and effective implementation by the countries of the region.

We submit this Declaration to the governmental, intergovernmental, private business and civil society organisations concerned with issues of tobacco control on the global, regional and country-specific level. 

We invite representatives of CSOs of the region to join the Coalition by approaching any of the parties signing this Coalition. 

Signing parties:

	Anti-Tobacco Alliance/Azerbaijan
	Tobacco Control Alliance in Georgia
	Coalition for Smoke Free Russia   www.rpha.newmail.ru/coal.htm
	Coalition for Tobacco Free Ukraine   www.adic.org.ua/coalition
	Tele-Radio Grand, Uzbekistan