Asia Pacific Mayors Alliance for Tobacco Control (AP-CAT): a breakthrough to gain political will

Background and challenges to implementation Tobacco kills around 6 million people each year; that is one death roughly every six seconds. In many countries Asia Pacific, comprehensive tobacco control policies, plans and programs are severely lacking. Many countries in the region face similar roadblocks to comprehensive tobacco control. Mayors generally head the political and administrative parts of urban and therefore are able to make important decisions in the infrastructures and services that directly influence quality of life. Intervention or response The Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Tobacco Control (AP-CAT) was formed joined by 12 cities from 8 countries with support from Ministry of Health Indonesia, Ministry of Health Cambodia, Ministry of Health Myanmar, Ministry of Health Lao PDR and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). AP-CAT has two co-chairs: DR Bima Arya Sugiarto , Mayor of Bogor City, Indonesia and Francis Anthony S Garcia , Mayor of Balanga City, Philippines. The Union Asia Pacific Office in Singapore hosts the Secretariat of the AP-CAT. Results and lessons learnt AP-CAT members committed to the following tobacco control measures: 1. To Create a smoke free city, 2.Implement TAPS Bans, 3. Support Ministry of Health to Increase/implement PHW size, 4. Raise taxes, 5. Establish NCD prevention programs. Conclusions and key recommendations Mayor alliances create political will and build ownership for the health of cities. The Alliance can be used to improve other public health interventions as well