My PhD Experience

ERIK MARTIN

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

GEELONG, VIC

What I did

Thesis title: Implementing an International Health Treaty in Small Pacific Island Nations

Mixed methods, multiple-case study:• What variables influence the implementation of the

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in small island developing states of the Pacific?

• How do these variables affect its success or failure?• How can barriers be overcome and opportunities

utilised to ensure effective FCTC implementation?

Document analysis and key informant interviews in 4 Pacific Island countries: the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Palau, Nauru

(Some of) what I foundIn the small Pacific Island countries examined:

Significant achievements in tobacco control policy; but some more than others

Tobacco control provisions in the international treaty remain highly relevant and needed

Capacity constraints: need to be efficient and strengthen cost-effective tobacco control provisions

Multi-sectoral networks and partnerships need to be strengthened

Limited (public) pro-tobacco advocacy, but also limited anti-tobacco advocacy

Tobacco control policies need to be strengthened from the bottom up

Political theory is under-utilised but valuable to public health

What I learnt

Short term pain but long term gain A rewarding journey and valuable

opportunity for learning and professional development

More questions than answers Persistence, hard work, self-belief

and are key “The journey of a thousand miles

begins with one step” – Lao Tzu

Who I’d like to thank

CAPHIA

School of Medicine, Deakin University

All individual participants

Ministries of Health in the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Palau, Nauru

Cook Islands Tobacco Control Working Group, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Palau

My supervisor, Evelyne de Leeuw

Co-supervisor - Hans Lofgren and Adviser - Simon Barraclough

My family and friends