The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) was formed on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2002.
Cigarette-smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, leading to cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and complications in diabetes. The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. The JCTC works closely with Government, non-Government and other allied health organizations to encourage abstinence, minimize tobacco use and work toward de-normalizing the use of all tobacco and nicotine products in Jamaica. The JCTC’s secretariat is situated at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, from which activities and other functions are planned and executed.
Vision
A tobacco free Jamaica
Mission
De-normalizing the use of tobacco and all nicotine products
Member organizations
International Affiliation and Achievements
The JCTC is a member of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and the Framework Convention Alliance. Over the past 20 years it has worked closely with the Government, health and allied health organizations as well as the media to advocate for smoking abstinence and prevention of tobacco use to maintain a healthy lifestyle. JCTC has demonstrated success in areas such as; advocacy for tobacco control issues, supporting efforts for timely tobacco legislation aligned with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), supporting measures for tobacco cessation, and monitoring messages that promote tobacco smoking. The coalition has also had opportunities to undertake cooperative efforts with Ministries of Health in other CARICOM countries. The JCTC has received numerous grants from regional and international agencies such as the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use and The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). Through its projects, JCTC has supported the Ministry of Health in the successful promulgation of the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations 2013. Other noteworthy successes include; contributions to research leading to several tobacco tax increases and advocacy for meaningful written messages and pictorial images on cigarette packages designed to diminish cigarette smoking- a result of combined efforts of NGOs in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The JCTC has received national and international recognition for its work. These include the Tobacco Control “Champion” Award from International Conference on Public Health Priorities in the 21st Century in September 2013, and at the 4th IAHF Latin American Conference on Tobacco or Health in March 2014.
Letter of the Day- Implement Tobacco Control Legislation Urgently Article Link Below
Life is too precious to go up in smoke – A case for tobacco control legislation in Jamaica Video Link Below
THE EDITOR, Madam: We note the article on May 24 in The Gleaner reporting that the tobacco company was supporting the Government’s tree-planting project on Labour Day. The article quoted the tobacco company as saying: “Not only does the initiative assist us in executing our environment sustainability (ESG) mandate, it also allows us to play our … Continue reading LETTER OF THE DAY | DISINGENUOUS TREE PLANTING
THE World Health Organization (WHO) and its global partners recognise May 31 annually as World No Tobacco Day. The significance of this special day is to encourage people who smoke to quit and those who don’t to never start. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/health/no-butts-about-it-2/
Protecting the Jamaican Population from the Harms of Tobacco and Nicotine Use Imperative in the Wake of COVID-19 – says Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control ahead of World No Tobacco Day, May 31. Protecting Jamaica’s population from the health harms of tobacco and nicotine use and preventing youth from ever using these harmful and highly … Continue reading JAMAICA COALITION FOR TOBACCO CONTROL
The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) notes with interest recent statements by board members of Jamaica’s main tobacco company who assert that government excise duty is fuelling the illicit trade in cigarettes and a consequent decline in its sales. Yet, according to Carreras Limited’s 2019/2020 first-quarter report, in the first three months up to … Continue reading Not so! JCTC refutes Carreras’s claim that cigarette excise is responsible for illicit trade
Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in both men and women, and is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 160,000 people will lose their battle with lung cancer this year, accounting for more victims than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers combined. In recognition … Continue reading Life Is Too Precious To Go Up In Smoke – Lung Cancer Awareness Month Highlights The Importance Of Prevention, Early Detection
THIS YEAR marks 15 years since Jamaica acceded in 2005 to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the only global health treaty. Since its formation on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2002, the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) has been a strong advocate for public-health policies that seek … Continue reading Dr Aggrey Irons | COVID Is No Joke, It Gets Worse With Smoke
Dear Editor, It is with great concern that the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) notes Carreras Limited’s plan to launch islandwide an upgraded version of its mentholated cigarette brand which includes a double capsule that will allow smokers to switch to a citrus flavour. Introducing more flavoured cigarettes in Jamaica at this time is … Continue reading Citrus cigarettes leave a sour taste in the mouth of the JCTC
Dear Editor, The vision of the Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (JCTC) is for a tobacco-free Jamaica. Our mission is to denormalise the consumption of tobacco and all nicotine products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products, heated tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes. Electronic or e-cigarettes are a type of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) which do … Continue reading Ban e-cigs and vaping!
Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control
28 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies
(876) 926-4378 | (876) 960-8293 Ext. 272
tcproject@heartfoundationja.org