Levan Baramidze - Public Health Division Director, Ministry of Health
The survey in Georgia provided Dr Baramidze with evidence-based data which compelled political action, even though the full benefits described in the research will only be fully realised over a period of 15 or 20 years. But, Dr Baramidze also indicates that further reaching surveys are needed to re-enforce moves towards full advertising and public smoking bans.
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Kakha Gvinianidze - Head of Health Promotion
Dr Gvinianidze identifies the importance not just of carrying out research but of sharing the data it produces. He discusses the tobacco industry taking advantage of any opportunity, including force majeure, to disrupt tobacco control measures. Thinking of other post soviet states, he also warns that economic and business development reform should not provide opportunities for the tobacco industry.
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