Key considerations for the use of law to prevent noncommunicable diseases in the WHO European Region (2017)

Report of an intensive legal training and capacity-building workshop on law and noncommunicable diseases (Moscow, 30 May–3 June 2016)

While Member States have considerable autonomy and policy space to introduce legislation for protecting public health – that is, to choose, design and implement public policies that fulfil their regulatory aims – many aspects should be considered in preparing a new law.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe therefore organized a workshop for intensive legal training and capacity-building for a small group of Member States in the WHO European Region, with the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University and the Law and NCD Unit at the University of Liverpool. The workshop was designed for public health policy-makers, government lawyers and representatives of trade and/or the economy.

The report summarizes important issues, themes and topics discussed during the meeting in Moscow, ranging from the design and implementation of legislation, reconciling public health objectives with international trade and investment law commitments, to examples of regional integration, such as the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union.