scholarly journals Measuring the capacity to combat illicit tobacco trade in 160 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Gilbert Ulep ◽  
Monica Paula Lavares ◽  
Ariza Francisco
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Index Score ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Illicit Trade ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies ◽  
Illicit Tobacco Trade ◽  
Trade Index ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background Illicit trade of tobacco negatively affects countries’ tobacco control efforts. It leads to lower tobacco prices and makes tobacco products more accessible to vulnerable populations. In this study, we constructed an illicit tobacco trade index, which measures the structural and institutional capabilities of 160 countries in addressing illicit tobacco trade. We collected the most recent and best available data on general governance, tobacco control policies, and trade and customs practices. Results Singapore, New Zealand, Finland and Sweden lead countries with the most favorable illicit tobacco trade score. We observed a positive relationship between illicit tobacco trade scores and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and a negative relationship with the share of illicit tobacco trade to total tobacco consumption. Conclusions The capability to combat illicit trade varies across countries. However, on average, low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are less capable of addressing illicit tobacco trade as suggested by the lower illicit tobacco trade index score. The lower index score in low and middle-income countries was mainly driven by low scores in tobacco control policies and trade and customs practices and conditions. Our study reinforces the importance for LMICs to adopt the WHO’s Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Tobacco Trade Products, particularly committing to treaty obligations and investing on track and trace system and other customs reforms.

scholarly journals Improving the implementation of tobacco control policies in low-and middle-income countries: a proposed framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. e002078
Author(s):  
Connie Hoe ◽  
Ryan D Kennedy ◽  
Mark Spires ◽  
Stephen Tamplin ◽  
Joanna E Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Developing more detailed taxonomies of tobacco industry political activity in low-income and middle-income countries: qualitative evidence from eight countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e004096
Author(s):  
Britta Katharina Matthes ◽  
Kathrin Lauber ◽  
Mateusz Zatoński ◽  
Lindsay Robertson ◽  
Anna B Gilmore
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Political Activity ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies ◽  
Starting Point

IntroductionHistorical evidence, predominantly from high-income countries (HICs), shows that the tobacco industry uses a recurring set of arguments and techniques when opposing tobacco control policies. This data formed the basis of a model of tobacco industry political activity known as the policy dystopia model (PDM). The PDM has been widely used in tobacco control research and advocacy and has subsequently been shown relevant to other unhealthy commodities industries in both HICs and low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Before it can be validated as a generic tool for researching corporate influence on policy, one needs to determine whether the PDM successfully captures contemporary corporate political activities in LMICs.MethodWe conducted semistructured interviews with 22 LMIC-based advocates and used the transcripts as the primary data source. The discursive and instrumental taxonomies constituting the PDM served as the starting point for the coding framework. Using thematic analysis, we combined deductive and inductive coding to ensure we captured all strategies from the PDM and the interviews.ResultsThis study found that the tobacco industry uses a set of discursive and instrumental strategies that is largely consistent across LMICs and with the PDM. We identified several minor contextual nuances absent from the PDM. Some of these nuances were characteristic to individual countries, while others to LMICs more broadly. They included the argument that tobacco control policies unfairly punish reputable tobacco industry actors, and an emphasis on instrumental strategies centred around maintaining a good image, rather than rehabilitating a tarnished image as emphasised in the PDM.ConclusionsAllowing for the nuances identified in this study, the PDM has been found to be fit for purpose. The revised model should now be tested through in-depth LMIC case studies and could be used to facilitate comparative studies of unhealthy commodity industries’ political activities.

Raw and real: an innovative communication approach to smokeless tobacco control messaging in low and middle-income countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Turk ◽  
Pankaj Chaturvedi ◽  
Nandita Murukutla ◽  
Vaishakhi Mallik ◽  
Praveen Sinha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Communication Approach ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Defending Comprehensive Tobacco Control Policy Implementation in Nepal From Tobacco Industry Interference (2011–2018)

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 2203-2212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharma N Bhatta ◽  
Eric Crosbie ◽  
Stella A Bialous ◽  
Stanton Glantz
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Control Law ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Law ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Introduction Nepal passed a comprehensive tobacco control law in 2011. Tobacco control advocates successfully countered tobacco industry (TI) interference to force implementation of law. Aims and Methods Policy documents, news stories, and key informant interviews were triangulated and interpreted using the Policy Dystopia Model (PDM). Results The TI tried to block and weaken the law after Parliament passed it. Tobacco control advocates used litigation to force implementation of the law while the TI used litigation in an effort to block implementation. The TI argued that tobacco was socially and economically important, and used front groups to weaken the law. Tobacco control advocates mobilized the media, launched public awareness campaigns, educated the legislature, utilized lawsuits, and monitored TI activities to successfully counter TI opposition. Conclusions Both tobacco control advocates and the industry used the discursive and instrumental strategies described in the PDM. The model was helpful for understanding TI activities in Nepal and could be applied to other low- and middle-income countries. Civil society, with the help of international health groups, should continue to track TI interference and learn the lessons from other countries to proactively to counter it. Implications The PDM provides an effective framework to understand battles over implementation of a strong tobacco control law in Nepal, a low- and middle-income country. The TI applied discursive and instrumental strategies in Nepal in its efforts to weaken and delay the implementation of the law at every stage of implementation. It is important to continuously monitor TI activities and learn lessons from other countries, as the industry often employ the same strategies globally. Tobacco control advocates utilized domestic litigation, media advocacy, and engaged with legislators, politicians, and other stakeholders to implement a strong tobacco control law. Other low- and middle-income countries can adapt these lessons from Nepal to achieve effective implementation of their laws.

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