Framework Convention On Tobacco Control Research Articles

Second-Hand Smoking Prevalence in Vietnamese Population Aged 15 and older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background:Second-hand smoking (SHS) is associated with many health problems. However, its prevalence in the community population aged 15 years and older in Vietnam is unknown.Objectives:To quantify the prevalence of SHS in Vietnamese communities aged 15 and above.Methods:This is a meta-analysis that reviewed studies of the prevalence of SHS in Vietnam published in MEDLINE, Scopus, Pubmed and the WHO library database between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. MedCalc was used to perform all the analyses, and publication bias was determined using funnel plots and Egger regression asymmetry tests. Q-test and I2 statistic were used to identify heterogeneity across studies.Results:There were 7 articles that met our inclusion criteria 2 surveys at the national level, 3 Cross-sectional studies and 2 Case-control studies) involving 184 921 participants. According to the meta-analysis, the overall random-effects pooled prevalence of SHS was 54.6% (95% CIs: 44.900-64.154) with a high level of heterogeneity (P = .0001, Q = 2245.60, I2 = 99.73%). It is noteworthy that the pooled prevalence of SHS rose throughout the course of the survey years. Our research found no evidence of publication bias.Conclusions:Vietnam has ratified the implementation the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, there are still a large number of people who are adversely impacted by SHS. Given the tremendous cost that SHS imposes on health systems, our results underscore the critical need for the Vietnamese government to expedite an implementation of a set of stronger tobacco control practices, thus reducing the incidence of smoking-related illnesses and fatalities.

The Influence of the Commercial Speech Doctrine on the Development of Tobacco Control Measures

Among the attempts to oppose tobacco control legislation, the tobacco industry has alleged violations of its right to commercial speech. While the disputes that took place in some jurisdictions like the United States (US), Canada, or the European Union (EU) have been already analyzed, much less is known about how, globally, this doctrine has influenced the adoption of tobacco control measures. This article contributes to filling this gap by illustrating how the commercial speech doctrine influenced the negotiations of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Moreover, using the Tobacco Control Database of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, it shows that arguments on commercial speech have been used to challenge tobacco control measures in an increasing number of countries.

Tobacco control measures in COVID-19 recovery: an opportune time to restore equity and planetary health.

Tobacco intersects with the COVID-19 pandemic not only in terms of health consequences, but also environmental change and planetary health. Tobacco use exacerbates inequalities, causes catastrophic environmental degradation and climate change and adds burdens to COVID-19-related mortality, which are major challenges to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has provided a chance to combat tobacco use and accelerate efforts to alleviate these challenges in response. The MPOWER measures introduced by the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) can play a crucial role in COVID-19 recovery to fight tobacco use and contribute to sustainable and equitable development. To accelerate recovery, it is critical to call for actions for governments and policy-makers to strengthen synergies and coordinate policy actions emphasising tobacco control and cessation across equity, public health, and climate actions as global authorities pledge to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net zero emissions targets as part of the Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26).

Is It Possible to Solve the Conflicts Over Conflict of Interest? Comment on "Towards Preventing and Managing Conflict of Interest in Nutrition Policy? An Analysis of Submissions to a Consultation on a Draft WHO Tool".

Addressing conflicts of interest (COIs) when developing and implementing policies to address commercial determinants of health is pivotal to ensure that these policies are free from commercial and other vested interests of unhealthy commodities industry. As a concept, this is well accepted within the tobacco control community, and supported by the existence of an international treaty, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). But in nutrition policy the engagement of the food industry appears to remain controversial, as efforts to create partnerships are still underway. There is a need to undertake evaluation of existing COI policies to assess their implementation and outcomes, creating best practice models that can be replicated, and understanding how to change norms within governments. Additionally, a review of existing norms, codes of conduct, and ethics to determine their impact on preventing COI would guide future implementation of these measures. Finally, governments, academics, and advocates should consider how existing tools, guidelines or other instruments could help frame the COI discussion to ensure its political feasibility. There is a need for a discussion on whether the current approach of separate policies for distinct industries is preferable than a broader COI policy that would be applicable to a wide range of unhealthy commodities and across governmental sectors.

Tobacco Related Cancer Incidence - A Time Travel Comparative Analysis Before And After Implementation Of National Tobacco Control Programme In India

India's responsibility towards the arrangement, and progressively successful reduction in the usage of tobacco under “Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act” (COTPA) and “Framework Convention for Tobacco Control” (FCTC) prompted the introduction of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) in 2007–2008. This study aimed to compare the incidence of tobacco related cancers before and after implementation of NTCP in India. All the sources which have the statistics on cancer incidence in India were identified and the data was extracted to compare the cancer incidences. Secondary data from the sources such as National Cancer Control Registry, Global adult tobacco survey report etc. were collected and tabulated. The results showed that the usage of smokeless tobacco has decreased to 17.6% in 2015 after the implementation of NTCP from 23.4% in 2005. Same way the prevalence in the usage of smoked tobacco has reduced considerably from 18.3% in 2005 to 11.9% in 2009 after the implementation of NTCP. In Mumbai, the number of cancer patients due to tobacco usage has decreased from 7642 to 3625. But in Chennai, the total number have increased from 2000- 2014. By the analysis of incidence of tobacco related cancers and tobacco consumption in India, it is evident that the usage of tobacco products both smoke and smokeless tobacco consumption have decreased after the implementation of NTCP. KEYWORDS: National Tobacco Control Program, tobacco related cancers, Comparison, Tobacco, India

The WHO FCTC’s lessons for addressing the commercial determinants of health

SummaryThe tobacco, alcohol, beverage, processed food, firearms, gambling, fossil fuel and mining industries, inter alia, are implicated in fostering negative commercial determinants of health. They do this by shaping our environments, tastes, knowledge and politics in favour of the unlimited consumption and unencumbered promotion of their deadly and dangerous products. To shift the determinants of health, emphasis should be put on preventing industry actors whose profit lies in harming health from wielding influence over the institutions and actors of global and national governance. The tobacco control experience and the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) provide a unique, comprehensive and fully substantiated guide for how this may be done. Just as the tobacco industry was a pathfinder for other harmful industries in developing tactics for expanding the depth and reach of the market for their deadly products, the WHO FCTC experience is the obvious pathfinder for countering the commercial determinants of health across all sectors and industries. Although they are desirable for countering negative commercial determinants of health, the WHO FCTC’s lesson is not that commercially driven epidemics must be tackled with legally binding treaties. Rather, given the challenges to treaty-making, the key lessons are those that show how it is possible to address the harms of other commodities, even in a treaty’s absence. What is needed is the national implementation of measures providing for intersectoral governance and protection from industry interference which will then assist in unlocking measures for reducing the supply of and demand for unhealthy commodities.

The UK Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2020/2021: An assessment of the implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 in the United Kingdom

The UK Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2020/2021: An assessment of the implementation of WHO FCTC Article 5.3 in the United Kingdom

Evaluation of the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Colombia.

Evidence-based interventions recommended in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization (WHO FCTC) are subject to implementation factors that might affect their actual effectiveness. The Colombian law enacting key commitments from WHO's FCTC was signed in 2009. This study aims at evaluating the potential impact of the enactment and implementation of these WHO FCTC on four outcomes for tobacco consumption (last-year cigarette smoking prevalence, prevalence of heavy smokers, prevalence of lower-intensity smokers and monthly smoking incidence). We used data from the National Psychoactive Substances Consumption Survey (NPSCS) in 2008 (n = 29 164) and 2013 (n = 32 605), and assessed changes in these four outcomes WHO FCTC using propensity score matching (PSM). Propensity scores were obtained using key socio-demographic variables and by matching through a 'Kernel' estimation. Matching quality tests were performed. The common support for both survey samples was 60 793. Sub-analyses were conducted using a governance index to assess the effect of heterogeneous governance levels, proxying implementation, over the country. We found that cigarette year-prevalence and cigarette month-incidence decreased after matching around 8 and 1.2 percentage points between 2008 and 2013, respectively. Consumption might have shifted, at least partially, from heavy smoking towards lower-intensity smoking. Departments with a higher governance index showed larger reductions of tobacco use, possibly associated to a stronger WHO FCTC implementation. This study highlights the impact that the WHO FCTC had on tobacco consumption in a middle-income country and shows the importance of governance strength as a mediating mechanism for WHO FCTC impact. These results advance current knowledge on the effectiveness of WHO FCTC and shed light on the relevance of governance as a key factor in the WHO FCTC implementation.

Agenda-setting of tobacco control policy in Iran: a retrospective policy analysis study

BackgroundThe prevalence of tobacco use, especially hookah, has increased in Iran In recent years, particularly among young people and women, and the age of onset of use has decreased. Tobacco use is the fourth leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases in Iran. These issues cause concerns in the country and led to the present study on tobacco control agenda-setting in Iran over a 30-year timeframe.MethodsWe conducted this retrospective analytical study to investigate process analysis in Iran using Kingdon’s multiple-streams framework (MSF). We collected the data using semi-structured interviews with key informants (n = 36) and reviewing policy documents (n > 100). Then, we analyzed the policy documents and in-depth interviews using the document and framework analysis method. We used MAXQDA 11 software to classify and analyze the data.ResultsIran’s accession to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) opened a window of opportunity for tobacco control. The policy window opens when all three streams have already been developed. The adoption of the comprehensive law on the national control and campaign against tobacco in the Islamic Consultative Assembly in 2006 is a turning point in tobacco control activities in Iran.ConclusionsThe tobacco control agenda-setting process in Iran was broadly consistent with MSF. The FCTC strengthened the comprehensive plan for national control of tobacco as a policy stream. However, there are several challenges in developing effective policies for tobacco control in the Iranian setting.

Quitline Information Included on Cigarette Packaging: An Assessment of Country Adherence to WHO FCTC Guidelines, 2007 to 2018.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate country adherence to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidelines in terms of including quitline information on cigarette packaging. Data were gathered from the WHO’s Global Health Observatory database. The study included countries that were signatories to the FCTC, had a toll-free quitline, and required health warnings on cigarette packaging. Countries were then classified by income level according to the World Bank. From 2007 to 2018, the number of countries that established a quitline increased from 34 to 60. During the same timeframe among those countries, the number of countries that included information about the quitline on cigarette packaging increased from 5 to 37, with a larger proportion (79%) of high-income countries promoting their quitlines on cigarette packaging compared to middle-income (45%) countries. Although there was an increase in adherence to the WHO FCTC guidelines, there is still a need for several countries to include quitline information on cigarette packaging.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship in India and Indonesia: Present Regime and the Way Forward.

One of the important factors contributing to tobacco epidemic is tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS). TAPS is employed by tobacco industry to increase demand for its products, often through targeting specific groups or market segments. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) recommends implementation of comprehensive bans on TAPS as part of an effective set of tobacco control policies. Article 13 of the WHO FCTC and its guidelines mandate a comprehensive ban on all TAPS. Besides, TAPS ban is one of the MPOWER strategy and is included in the 'Best Buys' for effective tobacco control. However, many countries, especially low-income and middle-income countries, primarily implement only partial TAPS bans, allowing the tobacco industry to directly or indirectly advertise and promote its products via multiple media. This review article analyzes the current state of affairs in respect of TAPS in India and Indonesia, the two of the largest countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region of the world, and discusses the way forward to address the identified gaps in TAPS ban policy formulation and implementation focusing on strengthening its compliance and enforcement at the country level.

Global Implementation of Tobacco Demand Reduction Measures Specified in Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

IntroductionThe world’s first global health treaty, WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) aims to reduce tobacco product demand by focusing on tobacco taxes, smoking bans, health warning labels, and tobacco advertising bans. Previous studies almost unanimously suggest that FCTC has prompted countries to implement more effective tobacco demand reduction policies.Aims and MethodsBy taking into account the pre-FCTC status, country income level, and state capacity we studied if ratifying FCTC was associated with tobacco demand reduction measures in 2018/2019. We used logistic regression to assess the association of FCTC ratification with adoption demand reduction measures, accounting for years since ratification, baseline status, and other covariates.ResultsExcept for taxes, state of tobacco policy implementation before FCTC ratification did not predict adoption of FCTC policies. Time since FCTC ratification was associated with implementing smoking bans and pictorial HWLs. In contrast, while the tax rate prior to FCTC ratification was positively associated with increased taxes after FCTC ratification, time since FCTC ratification was marginally negatively associated with increases in tobacco taxes.ConclusionsWhile the FCTC was followed by implementation of compliant demand reduction policies, there are still many parties that have not implemented the FCTC, particularly increasing taxes and ending tobacco advertising and promotions.ImplicationsWe assessed changes in tobacco demand reductions measures over 22 years in 193 countries. By using internal tobacco industry documents, we were able establish a baseline before the FCTC negotiations. Unlike previous studies, we included four tobacco demand reductions measures: tobacco taxes, smoking bans, health warning labels, and tobacco advertising ban. The limitation of the study is that we do not have data to describe if demand reduction measures are actually enforced or what their effect on tobacco consumption is.

Exposure of 4-year to 24-year olds to tobacco imagery on prime-time Chilean television

IntroductionThe extent of the population’s exposure to tobacco imagery across all genres of regular TV programming and the contribution of each of these genres is unknown, except for UK broadcast...

Claims of Reduced Odor on Tobacco Packs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

IntroductionCigarettes designed to have less smoke smell were developed by the tobacco industry to supposedly reduce negative qualities. Cigarettes with marketing claims communicating these designs have been sold in high-income countries and marketing of “less smoke smell” terms on cigarette packaging can promote cigarette use. It is unclear to what extent they have been marketed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Aims and MethodsThe Tobacco Pack Surveillance System (TPackSS) systemically collected tobacco packs available in 14 LMICs with high tobacco use between 2013 and 2017. We coded 4354 packs for marketing appeals, including claims related to smoke smell. We describe “less smoke smell” and similar claims found on these packs and compare across country and tobacco manufacturers.ResultsPhrases communicating less smoke smell were present on packs purchased in nine of 14 LMICs, including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The most commonly (74.1%) used terminology was “less smoke smell,” “LSS,” or a combination of the two. Packs from Russia had the most prevalent use (11.8%) of such claims. Companies using these terms across 21 brands included Japan Tobacco International (JTI), British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International (PMI), and other smaller companies. JTI accounted for 70.9% of packs with such terms.ConclusionsSome of the world’s largest tobacco companies are communicating less smoke smell on packs in LMICs. Less smoke smell and similar phrases on packaging should be prohibited because they can enhance the appeal of cigarettes.ImplicationsTobacco companies are using “less smoke smell” and similar phrases on cigarette packs in LMICs. These claims have the potential to increase the appeal of smoking and promote cigarette use. Countries should consider policies to restrict attractive labeling claims, in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 13 guidelines, which recommends restrictions on attractive design elements on tobacco packaging.

Implementation of Tobacco Control Policies in Bangladesh: A Political Economy Analysis

After ratifying the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in 2004, Bangladesh enacted anti-tobacco laws, policies, and administrative measures. Evidence suggests that the progress so far has not been significant, and Bangladesh will most likely fail to meet its target to become tobacco-free by 2040. This study undertakes a national-level political economy analysis to explore the dynamics that affect the processes of required tobacco policy reforms and implementation. Based on a desk review of pertinent pieces of literature and key informant interviews, this research examines the political behavior of key individuals, institutional reform initiatives, and the government’s commitment to the tobacco control agenda. The findings indicate that the political will of becoming tobacco-free is explicitly present in key narratives. However, intra-government conflict of interests and incentives, the skewed commitment of government bodies, state-business nexus, incapacity of vital organizations, and the dubious role of key individuals and committees fail to translate this will into active implementation. The article concludes that the idea of tobacco control remains a strategic accommodation, and its implementation requires genuine commitment and wider public support. The government must confer adequate authority and resources to the national tobacco control cell and call for agencies to convene to the common of creating a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

Countermeasures for Tobacco Industrial Cluster Development

Nowadays, the deepening globalization of the world economy promotes the economic development to present more and more obvious regionalization characteristics, and industrial clusters are increasingly becoming an important source for a country or region to achieve competitive advantages. China is the largest tobacco country in the world, and the tobacco industry is the largest source of tax revenue in China, which has made outstanding contributions to the national financial accumulation. After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and signing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Con trol (FCTC) o f the World Health Organization (WHO), the competition in the domestic and foreign tobacco markets has become increasingly fierce, and more attention to health issues has put forward higher requirements for the development of China's tobacco industry. Therefore, the Chinese tobacco industry urgently needs to use industrial clusters to form economies of scale and enhance market competitiveness. Overall, the development level of China's tobacco industry is not high. Due to some existing problems that restrict the development of tobacco industry clusters, some measures must be taken to enhance the competitiveness of China's tobacco industry clusters in the world economy, such as strengthening o verall coordination and planning guidance , guiding industries from agglomeration to cluster development, actively supporting related industries, and vigorously enhancing innovation ability. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the breakthrough point of the development of tobacco industry clusters, select the appropriate industrial clusters to focus on cultivating, strengthening the leading role, supplementing the chain and clustering, and guide and promote the healthy growth of tobacco industry clusters, so as to stimulate the growth of the national economy.

Commercial determinants of youth smoking in ASEAN countries: A narrative review of research investigating the influence of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

INTRODUCTIONTobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite implementation of some tobacco control measures, youth continue to initiate smoking. This narrative review outlines how tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) may influence smoking attitudes and uptake among youth in the region.METHODSNine electronic databases were searched on EBSCOhost to identify studies published up until December 2019. All studies published in English that investigated youth smoking and TAPS in ASEAN countries were included. Thematic analysis was used to investigate the influence of TAPS on youth smoking.RESULTSThirty-seven studies were identified. This research showed that youth were exposed and receptive to tobacco advertising, which may contribute to positive attitudes towards tobacco brands and smoking. Studies also demonstrated that youth were exposed to point-of-sale (POS) advertisements or promotions and individual sales promotions. However, little research has explored how these strategies influence attitudes and consumption behaviors among youth, or, how online advertising and cigarette packet branding may influence youth smoking.CONCLUSIONSYouth in ASEAN countries continue to be exposed to TAPS, particularly through POS advertisements or promotions and individual sales promotions. There is also cause for concern about ‘below-the-line’ advertising and the increasing role of cigarette packaging as a promotional tool. These findings support calls for all ASEAN countries to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), introduce comprehensive bans on all forms of tobacco advertising, including POS advertising and cigarette pack displays, and implement plain packaging legislation for tobacco products.

Incidence of oral cancer in consumers of e-cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes

Since the effort to include SLT in tobacco control policies under the WHO FCTC started, there has been considerable progress in its compliance, especially with Article 1(f) in defining SLT by the Parties and in surveillance of SLT use (Article 20). More participation is needed from the parties to initiate implementing these articles. Fortherestofthearticlesverylittleprogresshasbeenmade. SLTpreventionhas received much less attention than smoking prevention. Where there are policies on SLT, all provisions of the relevant FCTC articles have not been covered. Since there is evidence that partial policies are not very effective, more attention needs to be given to make them comprehensive. Even where there are policies on SLT, often they have not yet been implemented effectively.

Association of cigarette production and tobacco retailer density on secondhand smoke exposure in urban China

The primary aims of this study are to examine the associations between two key environmental factors—regional cigarette tobacco production and tobacco retail outlet density—and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in urban...

Implementation of tobacco control measures in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, 2008\u20132020

BackgroundThe 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.MethodWe 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.ResultsGCC 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.ConclusionsGiven 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.