Brazilian Advocates to be Honored for Leadership in Fight Against Tobacco Use
September 22, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three members of one of Brazil’s leading advocacy organizations have been selected to receive the 2020 Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence for their combined and coordinated leadership in the global fight against tobacco use. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids will present Daniela Guedes, Anna Monteiro and Adriana Carvalho of Brazil with the award at its virtual awards celebration on September 23.
The Wilkenfeld Award was established in honor of the late Judy Wilkenfeld, the founder of Tobacco-Free Kids’ international program, a tireless leader in the effort to reduce tobacco use and in the adoption of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the influential international treaty that commits countries to take strong action to reduce tobacco use. The award is given annually to international tobacco control advocates who have made extraordinary contributions to reducing tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries and who both inspire and enable others to do the same in the spirit exemplified by Wilkenfeld. The award this year recognizes the unique manner in which the three individuals have worked together as a team to bring about significant change. This is the first time the award has been given to more than one individual.
Working closely together and combining their skills, Daniela Guedes, Anna Monteiro and Adriana Carvalho are three of the driving forces behind ACT Promoção da Saúde (ACT Brazil), a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and protecting public health policies. Founded in 2006 with a focus on tobacco control, ACT Brazil has expanded its advocacy work to include healthy eating, alcohol policy and physical activity.
Daniela Guedes is the Director of Campaigns and Mobilization. In this role, she has led some of Latin America’s most creative communications campaigns and also coordinates the ACT Brazil network, which has 145 member-organizations and more than 1,000 individuals as members throughout Brazil.
Anna Monteiro is the Communications Director and one of the founding members of ACT Brazil. Her work focuses on media and communications advocacy and she is the author of numerous publications on tobacco control policy.
Adriana Carvalho is the Legal Director. She advocates for sound tobacco control policies before the legislative, executive and judiciary branches and before the public prosecutor and public attorney offices in Brazil.
“The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is proud to recognize Daniela Guedes, Anna Monteiro and Adriana Carvalho of Brazil for their courageous, tireless and exceptional leadership in working to reduce tobacco use and save lives,” said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Thanks in no small part to the team at ACT Brazil and the network they have created, Brazil has long been and will continue to be a leader in the global effort to drive down rates of tobacco use.”
In 2011, Brazil became the largest country in the world to go smoke-free. In 2019, the country was recognized by the WHO as just the second country in the world to adopt several crucial policies (MPOWER policies) proven to drive down rates of tobacco use.
Most recently, Brazil has been again in the international spotlight for the country’s efforts to recover healthcare costs associated with tobacco use, suing two major international tobacco companies: British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International.
Daniela, Anna and Adriana’s colleagues describe them as passionate, driven advocates who are committed to fighting for a healthier future for all Brazilians. Their collective work has undoubtedly shaped public policy in Brazil and has paved the way for many other countries in the Latin America region.
Globally, tobacco kills eight million people each year and is projected to kill one billion people this century unless governments take effective action now to reduce tobacco use.
To watch a livestream of the awards ceremony, please visit: TobaccoFreeKids.org/StrongVoices on Wednesday, September 23, from 6p.m.-7p.m. EDT.