Tobacco Consumption and Control Initiatives

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Recommendation
Reference List

Introduction

Tobacco is one of the most smoked plants globally with serious health problems, although most individuals never take them seriously. Globally, as approximated by the World Health Organization (WHO), annually health complications resulting from cigarette smoking cause more than five million adult deaths; a number that is likely to reach ten thousand by 2020 (Prokhorov et Al., 2006, p.1). In addition to such enormous adult numbers, globally, the use of nicotine products causes more than a quarter a million adolescent and children deaths annually; a case that is prevalent in developing nations. It is important to note that, effects resulting from tobacco smoking; be they social, health, environmental or economic affect both smokers and nonsmokers. This is because, through such deaths, a country not only loses its active, innovative, and resourceful population, but also the economic gap left behind by such individuals causes many financial strains to the health sectors and families(World Health organization, (n.d.), Para. 1).

Considering the adverse nature of effects resulting from tobacco smoking the WHO in 1998, came up with the Tobacco Free Initiative (FTI), as a scheme of creating global awareness on the consequences of using nicotine products. To implement this in respect nations, WHO collaborated with world governments in formulating tobacco control measures, aimed at controlling the production, distribution, and sale of tobacco products. Most Governments’ tobacco control initiatives center on price control (through taxation), advertising, and rehabilitation programs for individuals who want to quit smoking (World Health Organisation, 2010, p.1).

Discussion

Tobacco-Free Initiative (TFI)

Although individuals since time memorial have known the adverse nature of effects resulting from tobacco smoking, most smokers have always ignored such effects; a fact that led to the uncontrolled increase in numbers of smokers between the years 1967-1992 (from 2.8 trillion to 5.7 trillion). This is also evident presently; whereby, globally there exist more than 1.22 billion smokers globally. Due to such rapid increases, in 1998 the WHO came up with the TFI, as a primary measure of reducing the impacts of ailments and deaths resulting from tobacco consumption. It is important to note that, most TFI measures of tobacco control are a long time and aim to alleviate any environmental, health, social, and economic burdens caused by effects resulting from tobacco to both users and nonusers. WHO adopts such initiatives as primary mechanisms of protecting both the present and future human generations, as tobacco consumption poses a threat to the existence of the human species (Medicus Mundi Switzerland, 2010, Para. 1-2).

For the achievement of its primary mission, TFI provides international leadership guidelines, which are the primary promoters of sensitization campaigns in all global communities. In addition, because of the passing of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003, TFI provides methodologies of ensuring global communities implement Specifications in the WHO FCTC. Provisions in FCTC are very crucial in the World Health Organization’s endeavor to control the consumption of tobacco products, for it provides mechanisms of ensuring global communities respect and offer required support to any tobacco control initiative (Tobacco Free Initiative Unit, 2009, pp. 1-2. On the other hand, to control the use of tobacco products, the WHO FCTC clearly spells out the legal dimension that all nations must follow in their endeavor to reduce tobacco consumption. Specifications in the convention include countries to adopt restrictive measures on tobacco manufacturers, distributors, advertisers, and salespersons, countries to adopt strategies of preventing second-hand smoking effects, and finally, all global communities should implement tobacco trade control measures, aimed at controlling the illegal tobacco trade (Roemer, Taylor & Lariviere, 2005, p.1).

On the other hand, for TFI to achieve its mandate it collaborates with other world nations hence, it has offices all over the world, which mainly plan and implement the WHO FCTC tobacco control strategies. In all global regions, it mobilizes the allocation of enough resources to support the tobacco control initiatives, through ensuring that regional areas incorporate tobacco control measures in all their health initiatives (WHO, 2010, p.1).

Why Global Tobacco Control is an Important Global Health Policy

According to the Central Diseases Control and Prevention (2010, p.1), health complications resulting from the consumption of tobacco products are one of the primary causative agents of the increased mortality rate. Globally, every year tobacco-associated health complications cause more than five million deaths, a figure that is bound to rise to approximately ten million, unless individuals change their tobacco consumption habits. In addition, tobacco consumption is one of the primary causative agents of most diseases globally. Although most individuals do not realize, such diseases have many associated negative economic effects, not only to individuals but also to countries. Governments spend millions of dollars in treating tobacco-related health complications, for example, cancer, coronary heart complications, mental problems, bronchitis, and premature deaths (Jha & Chaloupka, 1999, pp. 22-32). In addition to such enormous governmental expenditure, most victims of tobacco-associated illnesses are individuals in their early adulthood hence, such deaths robs nations its productive and working populations. According to the WHO report on the impacts of tobacco use on national economies, illnesses resulting from tobacco consumption made global communities lose more than the U.S. $ 200 million; whereby, the most affected were third world countries (WHO, 2010, p.1).

In addition to the economic strain on countries, there exists a close correlation between tobacco consumption and poverty; a fact that research attributes to the enormous amounts spent by families on tobacco. The majority of tobacco smokers are addicts, who require a constant supply of tobacco hence, leading to too much spending on tobacco. Such uncontrolled spending in most cases leads to many social problems that may include malnutrition of families, increased premature mortality rate, increased illiteracy rate, and poor health statuses of families. Considering these effects, the war against tobacco consumption is a primary global concern; hence, the widespread campaigns to reduce tobacco consumption (WHO, 2010, p.1).

Summary

In summary, effects associated with tobacco consumption are one of the primary causative agents of the ever-increasing children and adult mortality rates. In addition, considering the enormous amounts of resources spent by either families or governments on tobacco-related illnesses for example cancer, although proceeds from the tobacco trade can be of economic significance, its disadvantages are many hence, the increasing sensitization of the public on the effects of tobacco consumption. Such an economic burden and many social problems associated with tobacco consumption, the WHO adopted the Tobacco-Free initiative in its endeavor to provide solutions to many tobacco-associated problems. The treaty provides measures and strategies that nations should use, through collaboration with global communities. FTI also provides the legal framework under which tobacco trade should take place, a mechanism used by the WHO to mitigate illegal tobacco trade. To ensure that countries adhere to international standards of tobacco control, the WHO introduced the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a pact the nations signed and agreed to adhere to in enforcing appropriate tobacco control measures (WHO, 2010, p.1).

Recommendation

Considering the adverse nature of effects associated with tobacco consumption, it is important for all governmental and non-governmental organizations to combine efforts in sensitizing communities on the effects of tobacco use. Such organizations must work in close collaboration with international organizations, which have joined the war on tobacco consumption. It is important to note that, because of the many funds spent by governments annually on health, environmental, economic, and social effects resulting from the consumption of tobacco, governments should come up with cost-effective methodologies. Such methodologies must be applicable in all economic sectors and scenarios, something that is achievable through governments implementing workable solutions. Common methodologies that governments can use include use of public policies and setting of strict laws on the tobacco trade. In addition, governments should formulate strict rules on tobacco advertising, a factor that will ensure organizations use appropriate marketing strategies hence, lessen chances of such adverts misguiding individuals.

In addition, to ensure nations implement fully provisions of the WHO FCTC, the WHO in collaboration with other global organizations for example Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), should formulate methodologies of strengthening countries’ capacities to control tobacco consumption. Such strategies include formulation of appropriate resource mobilization strategies, funding of public education programmes, and doing extensive researches on the effects of tobacco consumption. Adoption of these strategies will ensure that, regardless of a countries economic, social, or political situation, tobacco control measures achieve desired results and outcomes.

Reference List

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Health effects of cigarette smoking. CDC. Web.

Jha, P., & Chaloupka, F. J. (1999). Curbing the epidemic: governments and the economics of tobacco control. Washington: the International Bank for Reconstruction, the World Bank. Web.

Medicus Mundi Switzerland. World Health organization. Medicus Mundi Switzerland. 2010. Web.

Prokhorov, A. V. et al. (2006). Youth Tobacco use: a global perspective for child health Care clinicians. Pediatrics, 118(3), 890-903. Web.

Roemer, R., Taylor, A., & Lariviere, J. (2005). Origins of the WHO Convention on Tobacco Control. American Journal of Public Health, 95(6), 936-938. Web.

Tobacco Free Initiative Unit. (2009). Effective implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control through the MPPOWER policy package. TFI Newsletter, 2(2), pp. 1-8. Web.

World Health Organisation. (2010). Tobacco-free initiative. WHO. Web.

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Tobacco is a problem for everyone. WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Web.

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