გამარჯობა მარინა,

იხილე მარიანის მეილი.

Honorable deputy minister Ms. Nino Javakhadze,

Honorable National Counterpart for Strategic Collaboration with WHO, Ms. Sopo Belkania,

It is with great pleasure to inform you that after the meeting between you and the Head of the FCTC Secretariat, Dr Vera da Costa e Silva, at the end of February 2018, we have delivered the training for trainers for the enforcement structures (Police) just a week ago.

The training was great success and we wish to thank the Ministry of Interior and the Police for kindly securing the venue and providing other needed assistance. The commitment of involved staff was obvious and we can only congratulate the Ministry of Interior for strong steps done towards the enforcement of the tobacco control legislation.

The law brought Georgia among the other advanced countries in the area of tobacco control, which is crucial for preventing premature mortality, and excessive disability, as tobacco use kills approximately 11,000 Georgian citizens a year. Strong tobacco-control can revert current trends and improve health of the population and promote further economic development of the country.

Enforcement is important part of the next stage of the implementation of the law that starts as soon as on the 1 May 2018. From the attached mission report you can see which steps are needed to secure well skilled officials that will be able to enforce the law. Based on the past meetings and recent development we can only envisage full success of your endeavors.

Please, be also informed that WHO and FCTC Secretariat are willing to provide further technical assistance. If needed we can meet in person to discuss further details. You or your co-workers can contact me, or my colleague Kakha Gvinianidze (gvinianidzek@who.int; +995 599 92 07 60) by email or phone.

Sincerely yours,