Background: Through NZ AID, the opportunity arose to assist six Pacific countries to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and implement comprehensive tobacco control programmes. Over five years, a number of NZ consultants worked together to support this goal.

Strategy: Working together closely with the countries concerned, initiatives included drafting legislation, developing action plans and building capacity in the areas of advocacy, health promotion, legislation enforcement and smoking cessation services.

Conclusion: The process resulted in some very positive outcomes. However, it also highlighted areas of difficulty. The presentation will outline both difficulties encountered and strategies used to overcome them.