The CCD is set to host the 18th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) in Dublin in 2021

The CCD will host the 18th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) in Dublin in March 2021. With approximately 2,000 delegates expected to attend from over 100 countries, the event is forecast to generate over €3 million towards the Irish economy.

DUBLIN - 10 July 2019 - Ireland, as a world leader in tobacco control, proved an inspiring destination for this event beating off competition from Canada. The successful bid was led by ambassador Dr Fenton Howell, chair of WCTOH 2021 Local Organising Committee, along with support from Dublin Convention Bureau and Fáilte Ireland. Ireland has contributed greatly towards international efforts in tobacco control and was well positioned to hold the next WCTOH in 2021. The announcement was made following the 17th WCTOH held in Cape Town in 2018.

Speaking about the conference coming to Ireland, José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union and secretariat of the WCTOH said, “Ireland is a world leader in tobacco control. It was the first country in the world to introduce a comprehensive smoking ban in 2004, the first country in the EU to bring in a point-of-sale ban and the first country in Europe to legislate for plain packaging for all tobacco products.”

Mr Castro also praised the collaborative work that went into securing this conference, “Ireland has a reputation for partnership working and their bid for the 18th WCTOH, which was led by the Department of Health with the support of the Prime Minister's (Taoiseach’s) office, was also supported by a suite of public and civil society organisations who work in close proximity with the Department of Health on tobacco control issues.”

Commenting on the venue selected to host this public health event, Mr Castro said, “The CCD is a perfect venue in terms of size and facilities for such a conference, allowing easy access from all parts of the world to its venue located in Dublin’s city centre."

Stephen Meehan, Chief Executive of The CCD is looking forward to welcoming this global conference in 2021, “We are thrilled that WCTOH is coming to Dublin and The CCD. As a Silver Healthy Venue, we are delighted to host this great health awareness event, which also highlights Ireland as a key player in the public health industry.”

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Press Contact
Suzanne McGann
Head of Marketing & Communications
The Convention Centre Dublin
Email: suzanne.mcgann@theccd.ie

About The CCD
The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD) opened in September 2010 and is Ireland’s first purpose-built international convention centre. Located in the heart of Dublin city, just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, The CCD has won a total of 42 industry awards since opening.

About the World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH)
The World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) is the leading global event for sharing best practices in tobacco control from more than 100 countries; and for inspiring more than 2,000 delegates to turn research into actions for policy change. With eight million preventable deaths each year caused by the marketing and interference tactics of the tobacco industry, the conference will examine successful interventions for navigating a changing global and national landscape. The Union serves as conference secretariat for WCTOH. Please visit www.wctoh.org for more information.

Twitter: @WCTOH2021 | Facebook: @WCTOH.org | #WCTOH2021

About The Union
The Union is a global scientific organisation with the mission to improve health among people living in poverty. They do that by conducting scientific research, working with governments and other agencies to translate research into better health for people around the world, and delivering projects directly in the field. The Union is made up of a global membership body of people who help to advance their mission, and a scientific institute that implements public health projects within countries. For close to 100 years, they have been leaders in the fight against some of the world’s biggest killers, including tuberculosis, lung diseases and tobacco use. Please visit www.theunion.org for more information.

Twitter: @TheUnion_TBLH | Facebook: @TheUnionLungHealth

About the Healthy Venues Accreditation
The Silver Healthy Venue award acknowledges venues that have taken concrete steps to support healthy eating and physical activity to help minimise some of the potentially negative health impacts of conference-going. The World Obesity Federation and Healthy Venues look holistically at the attendee experience, from healthier coffee breaks through to encouraging use of stairs and standing space in meetings.