An Asian summit confronts delays in global health goals

Subnational political leaders – mayors, parliamentarians, governors, deputy governors and other public decision-makers – from more than 121 cities and 12 countries in South and Southeast Asia met in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the occasion of the 8thAsia-Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT) summit[1]. All adopted a joint declaration aimed at strengthening the fight against major causes of premature and preventable deaths, such as tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including smoking, which is the major common risk factor.

The key role of local authorities in achieving sustainable development goals

Organized by APCAT and Vital Strategies, in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the Jakarta Provincial Government, the Association of Health Offices of Indonesia (ADINKES), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Bloomberg Philanthropies and APCAT Media, the summit brought together representatives from countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Singapore and Vietnam.

With less than five years to go before the deadline set for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), participants highlighted the significant delay in their implementation, particularly in terms of reducing NCDs by one third by 2030, implementing public health policies from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) aimed at preventing premature tobacco-related deaths, eradicating tuberculosis, and implementing the "One Health" approach to address threats to global health and food security, such as antimicrobial resistance.

Smoking, on its own, has been presented as a major cause of human suffering, causing nearly 8 million deaths each year worldwide, and global economic losses estimated at around US$2 trillion (€1,672 billion) per year.

According to the speakers, while health policies are often defined at the national level, local communities and authorities play a crucial role in translating international commitments into concrete actions, particularly because they are closest to communities and health systems, requiring close coordination between the different levels of governance.[2].

Aggressive marketing strategies and interference from the tobacco industry have been particularly singled out.

Several speakers mentioned the difficulties encountered in implementing tobacco control policies, particularly due to industry interference strategies and aggressive marketing tactics that often constitute covert tobacco advertising.

Speaking at the summit, Indonesian Deputy Interior Minister Dr. Bima Arya Sugiarto specifically mentioned tobacco advertisements that portray them as candy.

Furthermore, Myanmar (formerly Burma) has been cited as a country suffering from significant industry interference, with the implementation in October 2025 of standardized plain packaging for all tobacco products, announced as early as 2021 but delayed for several years due to industry pressure. Tobacco manufacturers attempted to postpone its implementation, citing a lack of adequate equipment, materials, and technical capacity to comply with the new packaging requirements.

Furthermore, countries attempting to implement restrictions on tobacco packaging risk legal action on the grounds that these policies violate trade rules.[3].

Participants stressed the need for strong local leadership to accelerate progress and counter commercial influences, particularly those of the tobacco industry.

Several commitments from the APCAT 2026 Declaration

Mayors, members of parliament, governors and vice-governors, as well as other officials and stakeholders from local governments in 121 cities across 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, have thus endorsed the Declaration of the 8^e APCAT Summit 2026 and made commitments on several issues.

Priorities include the generalization of 100% smoke-free environments, a total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, the strengthening of graphic health warnings and the introduction of plain packaging, as well as the ban on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and also shisha.

They further commit to investing in tobacco control as a key prevention strategy for tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases and stunting, including through smoking cessation services in clinics treating patients with tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases, but also through family health programs and universal screening for NCDs with referral to the standard continuum of care.

The signatories also pledge to advocate for higher taxes on products harmful to health, including tobacco and other nicotine products, alcohol, sugar, and sugary drinks., in accordance with the recommendations of the WHO and its "3 by 2035" initiative" and to SDG No. 3 on "Enabling healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages".

They then pledge to protect public policies from any industrial influence, by refusing any funding, donation, logistical support, subsidy or partnership from industries that create products harmful to health, including manufacturers, promoters and sellers of tobacco and nicotine products (excluding medical nicotine replacement therapies), alcohol, sugar and sugary drinks.

Finally, the signatories commit to adopting a "One Health" approach aimed at recognizing that the health of individuals, communities, the environment and animals is interconnected.

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[1]APCAT Summit Unites Local Governments To Save Lives From Tobacco, TB, AMR And NCDs, Scoop, published on January 27, 2026, accessed on January 27, 2026

[2]Asian and Pacific Ciy Leaders Unite in Jakarta to Tackle Preventable Deaths, Africa Science, published on January 26, 2026, accessed on January 27, 2026

[3]Shreya Suri, Commercial determinants of health: The tobacco, alcohol, and junk food industries killing 8 million people yearly while demanding to care, Observer Voice, published January 27, 2026, accessed the same day

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