scholarly journals Implementation of tobacco control measures in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, 2008–2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah S. Monshi ◽  
Jennifer Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
National Level ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Gcc Countries

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was developed to assist nations in reducing the demand and supply of tobacco. As of 2020, 182 nations joined the FCTC, agreeing to implement the recommended tobacco control measures. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) ratified the WHO FCTC by August 2006. Given the unique political, cultural, and religious context – and known tobacco industry efforts to influence tobacco use- in these nations, a careful examination of the translation of FCTC measures into policy is needed. This study aimed to assess the implementation of FCTC tobacco control measures at the national level within the six GCC countries. Method We collected and coded the FCTC measures that were implemented in the GCC countries. We examined trends and variations of the implementation between 2008 and 2020. Results GCC countries implemented most FCTC measures targeting the demand for and supply of tobacco, with some variation among countries. Bahrain and Qatar were more comprehensively implementing FCTC measures while Kuwait and Oman implemented the least number of the FCTC measures. Implementing measures related to tobacco prices and eliminating the illicit tobacco trade has slowly progressed in GCC countries. All GCC countries entirely banned smoking in workplaces while three countries implemented a partial ban in restaurants. Only Oman has restrictions on tobacco ads shown in media. There is progress in implementing FCTC measures related to tobacco packaging, cessation, and sale to minors in most GCC countries. Conclusions Given the influence of the tobacco industry in the Gulf region, the findings suggest a need for ongoing surveillance to monitor the proliferation of tobacco control measures and evaluate their effectiveness. Efforts required to address tobacco use should correspond to the unique political and cultural background of the GCC countries.

Tobacco control in China and the road to Healthy China 2030

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Guo ◽  
G. Quan
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
The Public ◽  
Tobacco Tax ◽  
Health Organization

Healthy China 2030 aims to reduce the adult smoking rate from 27.7% in 2015 to 20% by 2030. Achieving this goal requires a review of the tobacco control measures introduced in China to date, the gaps that remain and the opportunities ahead. In 2008, the World Health Organization introduced six measures to reduce demand for tobacco called MPOWER. The progress China has made in implementing these measure varies: 1) monitor tobacco use and prevention policies. The surveillance on tobacco use has been rigorous, but the monitoring and evaluation of tobacco control policies needs to be strengthened; 2) protect people from tobacco use: pushes for national tobacco control legislation have stalled, but 18 subnational legislations have passed; 3) offer help to quit tobacco use. The accessibility and quality of cessation services needs to be improved; 4) warn about the dangers of tobacco. While there are no pictorial health warnings, tobacco control advocates have launched a series of anti-smoking media campaigns to inform the public; 5) enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Legal loopholes and poor enforcement remain challenges; 6) raise taxes on tobacco: cigarettes in China are relatively cheap and increasingly affordable, which demonstrates the need for further tobacco tax increases indexed to inflation and income. China maintains a tobacco monopoly that interferes with tobacco control efforts and fails to regulate tobacco products from the public health perspective. Effective MPOWER measures, which depend upon the removal of tobacco industry interference from policymaking, are key to achieving the goal set by Healthy China 2030.

scholarly journals Evolution of the Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS) 1998–2008

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles W. Warren ◽  
Juliette Lee ◽  
Veronica Lea ◽  
Ann Goding ◽  
Brandon O'hara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Given that country-specific international data on tobacco use were limited or nonexistent, in 1998, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) initiated the Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS) to assist countries in establishing tobacco control surveillance and monitoring programs. GTSS includes collection of data through three school-based surveys: the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) for youth; the Global School Personnel Survey (GSPS), and the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) for adults; and one household survey: the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for adults. The GTSS provides a globally implemented and consistent framework for conducting surveillance including standard sampling procedures, core questionnaire items, training in field procedures and analysis of data consistent across all GTSS countries. The GTSS also enhances the role of the nongovernmental sector by supporting participation of civil society agencies in surveillance, monitoring, and policy and program development. The synergy between countries passing tobacco control laws, regulations or decrees, ratifying and complying with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and conducting GTSS surveys offers a unique opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive tobacco control policy that can be helpful to each country document the development, growth, and collaboration in sustaining the GTSS. The report highlights countries’ involvement in tobacco control measures and the establishment of comprehensive tobacco control programs worldwide. This report can assist countries in prioritizing and developing tobacco control programs, including surveillance, evaluation, and policy development. (Global Health Promotion, 2009; Supp (2): pp. 04-37)

scholarly journals Tobacco Industry Interference Index: Implementation of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3 in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 172-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aastha Chugh ◽  
Shalini Bassi ◽  
Gaurang P. Nazar ◽  
Upendra Bhojani ◽  
Cyril Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
National Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Desk Review ◽  
Legislative Measures

In India, there has been no attempt to measure the implementation of World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3, which provides guidelines to address tobacco industry interference (TII). This study draws on a desk review conducted to assess the frequency and severity of TIIs and the government’s response, reported between January and December 2017. This study highlights that the government of India does not allow tobacco industry to participate in policy development. However, the industry interferes by collaborating with the government’s allied organizations. The tobacco industry has diversified as food industry in India, and directly or indirectly supports various government programs, by investing through their corporate social responsibility schemes. In addition, there are limited legislative measures to allow transparency in adoption of Article 5.3 guidelines across the country. Hence, the findings of this study underscore an exigent need to adopt and implement Article 5.3 at the national level in India.

scholarly journals A Scoping Review of Foci, Trends, and Gaps in Reviews of Tobacco Control Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 599-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayle Halas ◽  
Annette S H Schultz ◽  
Janet Rothney ◽  
Pamela Wener ◽  
Maxine Holmqvist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Product Regulation ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Review Of Reviews

Abstract Introduction The burden of disease associated with tobacco use has prompted a substantial increase in tobacco-related research, but the breadth of this literature has not been comprehensively examined. This review examines the nature of the research addressing the action areas in World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the populations targeted and how equity-related concepts are integrated. Method A scoping review of published reviews addressing tobacco control within the primary prevention domain. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Educational Resources Information Centre, and PsycInfo from 2004 to 2018. Results The scoping review of reviews offered a “birds-eye-view” of the tobacco control literature. Within the 681 reviews meeting inclusion criteria, there was a strong focus on smoking cessation targeting individuals; less attention has been given to product regulation, packaging, and labeling or sales to minors. Equity-related concepts were addressed in 167/681 (24.5%); few were focused on addressing inequity through structural and systemic root causes. Conclusion This analysis of foci, trends, and gaps in the research pursuant to the FCTC illustrated the particular action areas and populations most frequently addressed in tobacco control research. Further research is needed to address: (1) underlying social influences, (2) particular action areas and with specific populations, and (3) sustained tobacco use through the influence of novel marketing and product innovations by tobacco industry. Implications This scoping review of the breadth of tobacco control research reviews enables a better understanding of which action areas and target populations have been addressed in the research. Our findings alongside recommendations from other reviews suggest prioritizing further research to support policymaking and considering the role of the tobacco industry in circumventing tobacco control efforts. The large amount of research targeting individual cessation would suggest there is a need to move beyond a focus on individual choice and decontextualized behaviors. Also, given the majority of reviews that simply recognize or describe disparity, further research that integrates equity and targets various forms of social exclusion and discrimination is needed and may benefit from working in collaboration with communities where programs can be tailored to need and context.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Efforts for Tobacco Control in The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heeje Lee ◽  
Minah Kang ◽  
Sangchul Yoon ◽  
Kee B. Park
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
World Health ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Media Content Analysis ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Tobacco use is one of the main public health concerns as it causes multiple diseases. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is one of the 168 signatory countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) member states agreed to adopt the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, there is lack of information regarding the tobacco use in the DPRK and the government’s efforts for tobacco control. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of tobacco use among the DPRK people and the government’s efforts to control tobacco use among its population, through literature review combined with online media content analysis. In 2020, the prevalence of tobacco smoking in males of 15 years and older was 46.1%, whereas that in females was zero. The online media contents showed the DPRK government’s stewardship to promote population health by controlling tobacco use. Furthermore, the DPRK government has taken steps to implement the mandates of the FCTC including introduction of new laws, promotion of research, development of cessation aids, as well as public health campaigns.

scholarly journals Overview on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and its implementation: current update

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Dhwanit Thakore ◽  
Mahesh Chavda ◽  
Girish Parmar ◽  
Tejal Sheth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Health Goal ◽  
The Status ◽  
Public Health Goal ◽  
Almost All

Tobacco use- a major public health issue in India has an enormous effect on the lower SES population. . There is an evident link between tobacco use or consumption and poverty. The widespread use of almost all forms of tobacco among the Indian population can be attributed to the social and cultural acceptance in the country. Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) is the legislation that regulates tobacco in India. The prime objective of this review is to compile the literature with information about the laws regulating tobacco use and the status of implementation of tobacco control provisions covered under COTPA. Since effective tobacco control measures involve multi-stakeholders i.e public health, law, trade and commerce, industry, consumer, human rights and child development, coordinated efforts are required to successful enforcement. The outcome of the current literature is bridging the gaps to make the tobacco control a very important public health goal and thereby protect the population from the consequent morbidity and mortality due to tobacco use.

scholarly journals An Intertemporal Analysis of Post-FCTC Era Household Tobacco Consumption in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2532
Author(s):  
Biplab Kumar Datta ◽  
Muhammad Jami Husain ◽  
Nigar Nargis
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco ◽  
National Level ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Smoking Rate ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Household Level ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco Use

Since the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, Pakistan has taken various measures of tobacco control. This study examines how these tobacco control measures are associated with change in household-level tobacco consumption patterns in Pakistan over the decade (2005 to 2016) after FCTC ratification. We used multiple waves of the household survey data of Pakistan from 2004–2005 to 2015–2016 for analyzing household-level tobacco use. We find that tobacco consumption remains at a significantly high level (45.5%) in Pakistan despite the recent declining trend in the post-FCTC era. During the preparatory phase of FCTC implementation between 2005 and 2008, the smoking rate was on the rise, and smokeless tobacco use was declining. Over the implementation phase of FCTC policies between 2008 and 2016, the pattern of change in tobacco use reversed—the smoking rate started to decrease while smokeless tobacco use started to rise. However, the decrease in the smoking rate was slower and the increase in smokeless tobacco use at the national level was driven by an increase among the poor and middle-income households. These trends resulted in the growing burden of tobacco expenditure among the poor and middle-income households relative to the wealthier households.

Government Interventions on Tobacco Control in India: A Critical Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanchita Mukherjee ◽  
U. S. Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Government Interventions ◽  
Tobacco Control Policies ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tobacco Taxation

Tobacco use is a serious concern in India since it is one of the largest producers and consumers of tobacco in the world. With growing evidence of health hazards caused by tobacco, Government of India had enacted various tobacco control legislations. This article provides a critical review of such government interventions. It traces tobacco practices and production trends in India, and proceeds further to provide a detailed account of the history of such interventions to understand the effectiveness of such policies, and stresses on the role of tobacco companies to weaken tobacco control policies in India. This article concludes that though tobacco control has taken a long leap forward with the introduction of various legislative steps to prohibit tobacco use across the country, review of these policies shows their inadequacy not only in enforcement but also in issues related to (a) the interference of the tobacco industry, (b) issues with tobacco taxation and (c) the failure of government to rehabilitate people involved with cultivation, production and distribution of tobacco products.

scholarly journals The Introduction of Tobacco Excise Taxation in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Step in the Right Direction of Advancing Public Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Delipalla ◽  
Konstantina Koronaiou ◽  
Jawad A. Al-Lawati ◽  
Mohamed Sayed ◽  
Ali Alwadey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Tax Reform ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tax Reforms ◽  
Tax Rate ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Cigarette Tax ◽  
Tobacco Tax

Abstract Background The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries relied, until recently, solely on import duties for tobacco products. The agreement for the introduction of an excise and value added tax (VAT) in 2016 and 2017, respectively, in most GCC countries, was a major breakthrough for public health. There is, however, ample room for improvement. Methods The study examines the outcomes of tax reforms, for both public health and public finances, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and best practices worldwide. Tax simulations were performed using the WHO TaXSiM model. The study is based on data from Saudi Arabia, the only GCC country for which sufficient data existed. Results We recommend a stepwise tax reform, which involves increasing the current ad valorem excise tax rate, phasing out import duties keeping total tax share constant and introducing a minimum excise, and finally switching to a revenue-neutral specific excise. If implemented, cigarette tax reform simulations show that the recommended reforms would lead to a higher than 50% increase in cigarette prices, 16% reduction in cigarette sales and almost 50% increase in total cigarette tax revenue. A significant number of cigarette-related deaths would be averted. Conclusions The recommended tax reforms are expected to lead to significant improvements in both public health and tobacco tax revenues. Our results provide useful insights that are of relevance to the whole GGC region. The effectiveness of the reforms, however, requires a strong tax and customs administration, including the establishment of a good database to monitor and advance public health.

scholarly journals Impact of the WHO FCTC on tobacco control: perspectives from stakeholders in 12 countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. s129-s135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Craig ◽  
Geoffrey T Fong ◽  
Janet Chung-Hall ◽  
Pekka Puska
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Independent Expert ◽  
Development Levels ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the first WHO treaty, entered into force in 2005. In April 2015, a seven-member independent expert group (EG) was established by a decision of the FCTC Conference of the Parties to assess the impact of the Treaty in its first decade.One component of the EG’s methodology was to gather evidence on WHO FCTC impact from Parties themselves. This paper presents findings from 12 country missions on how the FCTC impacted progress on tobacco control.MethodsBetween November 2015 and May 2016, EG members conducted missions in 12 countries representing each of the six WHO regions and the four World Bank economic development levels. In each country, the EG interviewed a broad range of stakeholders to assess the extent to which the FCTC had contributed to tobacco control. The primary objective was to assess whether tobacco control measures would have been developed or passed, or implemented at all, or as quickly, if there had been no FCTC. Through this counterfactual inquiry, the EG sought to determine the FCTC’s causal role.ConclusionThe FCTC was reported to have made contributions along the entire policy/regulation process: the development of a measure, building legislative and political support for a measure and its implementation. These stakeholder perspectives support the conclusion that the FCTC has played a pivotal role in accelerating and strengthening the implementation of tobacco control measures, although tobacco industry interference continues to be a significant obstacle to further advancement.

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