On 9 April 2010, representatives of the Azerbaijan Health Communication Association made a presentation on tobacco control at the Ministry of Education Republican Centre for Ecological Studies. More than 20 representatives of the Centre, as well as teachers and students from the schools involved in the Centre’s activities, participated in this event.

The Association presented and answered questions on their main objectives in the fight against tobacco and their tobacco control activities, which are supported by The Union’s Department of Tobacco Control. The programme provided the audience with complete information on the challenges and tasks ahead for the tobacco control project.

Schoolchildren participating in the programme were interested and expressed a desire to play a more active part in raising awareness among their peers about the threat of tobacco. These students are the members of ecological patrols organised by the Centre and are experienced not only in environmental protection, but also in health promotion activities.

The staff of the Centre suggested holding a training session on tobacco control for several peer educators from the regions of Azerbaijan. The Centre also agreed to join in the activities planned for World No Tobacco Day on 31 May.

The Azerbaijan Health Communication Association is a recipient of a Bloomberg Initiative tobacco control grant managed by The Union. To learn more about the Association visit: http://ahca.az