Issued by: Department of Health
Health Minister, Dr N C Zuma travels to the United States this evening, to attend a three-day International Conference on Children and Tobacco (17-19 March 1999). It will be held at the Hall of the Americas, Washington DC and is hosted by the US Senate, The Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids and the American Public Health Association.
The conference will be attended by more than a hundred delegates and Health Ministers from 30 countries. The US vice-president. Albert Gore will deliver the keynote address.
The Minister, whose anti-tobacco stance has won her admirers across the globe, has been asked to address the conference. She will lead a discussion on government's proposed tobacco legislation in relation to promoting public health and protecting children in particular.
Whilst in the US, Dr Zuma will also have meetings with representatives of the World Bank and the leadership of the World Health Organisation.
Dr Zuma returns to South Africa, on 22 March 1999. During her absence Mr Jeff Radebe, Minister of Public Works, will be acting Minister of Health.
Contact: Khangelani Hlongwane
Phone: 082 557 0978
Fax: 012 325 7813/4