ANNOUNCING OUR JUDY WILKENFELD AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO CONTROL EXCELLENCE
The Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence recognizes an advocate from a low- or middle-income country who has worked to significantly reduce tobacco use through policy advocacy. It is given in honor of the late Judy Wilkenfeld, an inspiring advocate and early leader of our international work whose expertise and devotion forever changed the world of tobacco control.
We’re thrilled to present this year’s award to Dinh Thi Thu Thuy of Viet Nam. |
About Dinh Thi Thu Thuy
Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy is Deputy Director of the Department of Legislation within Viet Nam’s Ministry of Health and a leading figure in the country’s tobacco control movement. With a career dedicated to public health and regulatory development, she plays a crucial role in advancing and enforcing Viet Nam’s policies to reduce tobacco use.
She has been steadfast in guarding against tobacco industry interference in public health policy, ensuring that health interests take precedence over corporate influence. She has played a pivotal role in strengthening smoke-free regulations, expanding the size of graphic health warnings, and advancing implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which guards against tobacco industry involvement in policy making.
With her playing a leadership role, Viet Nam’s National Assembly in November 2024 voted unanimously to approve a resolution banning the production, trade, import and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. This resolution is a significant victory for public health that will prevent youth use of these harmful and addictive products, which are often sold in kid-friendly flavors and threaten to undermine progress in reducing tobacco use.
She is currently focused on pushing for higher tobacco taxes, another highly effective policy to reduce tobacco use. Her unwavering commitment, strategic guidance and determination have made her a respected leader and driving force in Viet Nam’s fight against tobacco.
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One more to go! We’ve previously announced our Champion Award honoree, Global Health Advocacy Changemaker, Global Young Ambassador of the Year, and Group Youth Advocates of the Year. To cap it all off, next week we’ll announce our Barrie Fiske National Youth Advocate of the Year!
We hope to see you on May 8th!
Best, |
