Global Tobacco Dependence Treatment Partnership

Background

The GTP was formed in May 2006 by a group of organisations who shared an interest in improving access to effective treatment for tobacco dependence. The group created a constitution for the partnership and drew up a preliminary workplan focused on the opportunities presented by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The Constitution is reproduced below.

The partners

• American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org
• Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence - www.attud.org
• European Respiratory Society - www.ersnet.org
• International Non Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco - www.ingcat.org
• Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco - www.srnt.org
• World Association of Family Doctors - www.globalfamilydoctor.com
• Inter-American Heart Foundation
 www.interamericanheart.org
• FDI World Dental Federation - www.fdiworldental.org
• Pfizer Inc - www.pfizer.com
• GlaxoSmithKline - www.gsk.com
• WHO - www.who.int/topics/smoking/en/

The World Health Organisation works in collaboration with the Partnership on selected projects.

Constitution

Preamble

The Global Tobacco Dependence Treatment Partnership (GTP) was formed at a meeting in London on 9-10 May 2006. The GTP was established in response to a desire for better international collaboration on tobacco dependence treatment issues, and to achieve optimal implementation of Article 14 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Values and Principles

• The GTP is an independent, non-political, non-sectarian and not-for-profit body.
• It is committed to the pursuit of evidence-based practice in tobacco dependence treatment, both in promoting existing proven approaches and in seeking new approaches for new contexts.
• The member organisations of the GTP value the contribution of commercial organisations in the development and promotion of effective treatments. However, the GTP is committed to avoiding any conflict of interest. To this end it promotes transparency, declaration of interest and separation of commercial funders from partnership management decisions.
• The GTP members believe that tobacco dependence is an addiction and should be treated as a chronic relapsing condition.
• The GTP members believe that treatment for tobacco dependence is an important element of comprehensive approaches to tobacco control, complementary to other policy measures.
• The GTP members believe that a range of treatment goals should be offered to tobacco users who wish to address their dependence, with abstinence as the preferred outcome but including harm reduction strategies for those who continue to use nicotine products.

Vision

Universal access to effective tobacco dependence treatment

Mission

In pursuit of this vision, the GTP has six specific missions:

1. To advocate for universal access to effective tobacco dependence treatment
2. To assess needs for and the availability of tobacco dependence treatment
3. To provide guidance on effective treatment strategies
4. To promote research on tobacco dependence treatment
5. To assess and address the training needs of treatment providers
6. To add value to the work of partner organisations.

Objectives

Mission 1: To advocate for universal access to effective tobacco dependence treatment:

• Ensure that treatment is properly integrated into FCTC and other relevant policy implementation
• Recognise and address the differential needs of low/middle/high income countries
• Expand the range of organisations engaged in treatment

Mission 2: To assess needs for and the availability of tobacco dependence treatment

• To identify and agree indicators for monitoring treatment
• Create an evidence review system

Mission 3: To provide guidance on effective treatment strategies

• Publish reviews of evidence base for treatment
• Translate data into policy recommendations
• Issue authoritative policy statements
• Contribute to the development of international and national guidelines including those required for FCTC

Mission 4: To promote research on tobacco dependence treatment

• Identify research gaps and opportunities
• Develop a global treatment research strategy
• Assist countries to identify and address research needs
• Advocate for treatment dependence research programmes with funding organisations
• To identify and disseminate policy and practice implications of research findings

Mission 5: To assess and address the training needs of tobacco dependence treatment providers

• Identify stakeholders in professional education and opportunities for collaboration
• Promote the inclusion of treatment in training curricula
• Engage a wide range of health professions in treatment training

Mission 6: To add value to the work of partner organisations

• Support partner organisations in making the case for tobacco treatment internally and externally
• Facilitate joint planning and communication among partners
• Facilitate the pooling of resources and attract external funding

Membership

Membership of the GTP is open to organisations that are active in tobacco dependence treatment issues at the international level, committed to evidence-based approaches and that share the partnership's values and principles. For-profit organisations that have a direct conflict of interest may join as non-voting members. Membership application procedures are determined and overseen by the GTP Management Committee.

Membership categories

Full member: Non-profit organisations who provide resources to the Partnership, whether financial or in-kind.

Non-voting member: For-profit organisations who provide resources to the Partnership, whether financial or in-kind.

Collaborating organisation: Organisations whose own constitution precludes joining as a member, but who wish to work with the Partnership and contribute resources to its work.

Secretariat

The Partnership is co-ordinated by INGCAT, who provide core management and administrative support. These functions may be transferred to another partner organisation if required by membership vote.

Finances

The Partnership budget is administered by INGCAT, and used to implement the workplan as agreed by the GTP Management Committee. This function may be transferred to another partner organisation if required by membership vote. Income may consist of:

1. Contributions from members and collaborators
2. External grants
3. Contributions from donors

Governance

The GTP is governed by a Management Committee selected from representatives of member organisations, with an independent Chair. Non-voting members are not eligible to join the Management Committee. The Management Committee's main responsibilities are to:

• Approve the Partnership's workplan and monitor progress
• Approve the Partnership's budget and funding strategy
• Report annually to the member organisations

The Chair's role is to ensure adherence to the Partnership's mission, values and principles.