UICC members in Fiji and Australia receive prestigious World No Tobacco Day Award

The World No Tobacco Day Awards recognise individuals or organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of tobacco policies and measures, particularly in relation to the campaign theme, which this year highlighted the harmful impact of tobacco production and consumption on the environment.

Among the recipients of the World No Tobacco Award this year were Kylie Lindorff at the Cancer Council New South Wales, a UICC member organisation, for her work on legislation to prevent tobacco use and industry interference; and the Fiji Cancer Society, also a UICC member, jointly with the Hope Clinic Fiji, for their work in enhancing tobacco cessation services in the country.

Fiji Cancer Society

The Fiji Cancer Society began work on tobacco control in 2018 with awareness programmes on the risks of tobacco use and smokelyser screening to assist people in quitting consumption. Cessation services were offered through the Hope Clinic Fiji, who helped the Fiji Cancer Society refine its tobacco cessation guidelines.

The organisation also conducted outreach with the government to recognise that investment in health contributed to economic development and that stronger tobacco control can prevent economic loss through the protection of livelihood, food sources, shelter and disease prevention. 

In 2020, the Society conducted the Pacific Tobacco Interference Index (PTII) research and noted the need for government to implement laws and policies, particularly prevention measures, aimed at strengthening tobacco control to combat interference by the industry.

In the past two years, the Fiji Cancer Society has used social media to highlight the impact of Tobacco use on NCDs. In early 2022, the organisation participated in National Tobacco Control Strategic Planning Workshop at the invitation of the Ministry of Health.

“We are extremely honoured and pleased to receive the World No Tobacco Day Award. The Fiji Cancer Society will continue to advocate for tobacco control in the country and work in collaboration with its partners in ensuring a tobacco-free environment as well the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.”
–    Belinda Chan, CEO of the Fiji Cancer Society

Kylie Lindorff, Cancer Council New South Wales, Australia

Kylie has contributed to all areas of tobacco control and been a fierce, effective opponent of tobacco industry interference. She has over 25 years of experience working in policy and advocacy as a national, regional and global leader. As a non-governmental advocate in Australia, she worked to secure political support for plain packaging in 2009 and 2010. When support was confirmed, Australia’s government engaged Ms Lindorff to lead development of the legislation, which passed as a world first in 2011. 

She returned to nongovernment work, travelling to many countries since 2013 at their request, to provide expert advice on plain packaging, thus helping establish a global trend. Today, over 23 countries, and counting, have implemented plain packaging. 

Less visible, but just as meritorious, are Kylie’s results-focused advocacy and networking. Since 2015, she has been a key to ensuring Australian Government policy resists tobacco industry interference that exploits novel products to undermine tobacco control. She has also been a long-time member of the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) and currently is Chair of the Board, working with FCA members and Parties to see the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control fully implemented.  

 “I believe you are only as good as the team you work with and I have been privileged to have worked with expert and committed colleagues in Australia and around the globe over my career.  Tobacco control is always a team effort.  I am humbled and honoured to have been nominated and to receive the award.”
–    Kylie Lindorff, Senior Adviser, National and International Tobacco Control Policy, Cancer Council New South Wales, Australia

Discover the full list of winners of the World No Tobacco Day Awards