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Tobacco is unique among the risks to health in that it has an entire industry devoted to the promotion of its use, despite the known adverse health impact of tobacco consumption. Predictably, the tobacco industry aggressively blocks any attempt to effectively reduce tobacco use. This chapter focuses on strategies to counter the tobacco industry. Building capacity to face the greatest opponent of successful tobacco control must be a priority for national and local tobacco control officers. In many cases, tobacco control advocates and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are more experienced in this area, and much can be learned from them. The chapter stresses the importance of recognizing the true nature of the tobacco industry and offers guidance in searching the tobacco industry database to learn more about the industry's tactics in a specific country. It also discusses strategies to monitor the tobacco industry and neutralize its efforts to impede or delay tobacco control interventions as a necessary element of building national capacity to curb the tobacco epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Once a tobacco control policy or programme has been launched on the basis of a thorough assessment of the situation, the evaluation process will consist mainly of assessing its relevance and adequacy, reviewing progress in implementation, and assessing impact and effectiveness for the reorientation and formulation of relevant policies and activities. Surveillance and evaluation play a major role in documenting tobacco control policy accountability for policy-makers, health managers and professionals, and for the general public. Therefore, a comprehensive surveillance and evaluation system should be an integral and a major element of all tobacco control policies and programmes. This chapter introduces the key concepts and issues in tobacco control programme monitoring, surveillance, evaluation and reporting. Selected indicators, methodologies and tools are discussed. Because the topic is a comprehensive one, the reader is provided with a list of earlier WHO publications that examine this topic in greater detail. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The economic aspects of tobacco production and consumption play a critical role in developing strategies for reducing tobacco use. This chapter presents basic information on the key economic issues in tobacco control. It highlights the evidence on price and tobacco consumption, key steps to introduce or increase tobacco taxes and prices, which countries may adapt according to their specific socioeconomic and political situation, and funding initiatives for tobacco control, with examples of successful funding initiatives from Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Key references from the World Bank, which address these issues in greater detail, are cited. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The WHO FCTC provides guidance on surveillance, research and exchange of information on tobacco control. Translating research into public information is essential to assist individuals, communities and governments to take action to reduce tobacco consumption. A mechanism to communicate the evidence for tobacco control is necessary to support a national tobacco control programme. This chapter considers the various challenges to research in tobacco control, and offers practical steps to overcome these challenges. The importance of linking research to policy change is emphasized, and the need to communicate information derived from research effectively to target audiences is highlighted. Establishing a mechanism for information exchange is explored, and as an example, an existing web-based information clearinghouse is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This chapter offers a broad overview of the various programme options that are most often included as part of a comprehensive, integrated tobacco control action plan. It examines the roles of prevention through school-based programmes, cessation and protection of non-smokers through the creation of smoke-free environments within a national action plan for tobacco control, and identifies the key elements that determine the effectiveness of these components in reducing tobacco consumption. A crucial element for success in tobacco control is the engagement of communities in the process of understanding the tobacco epidemic more clearly and responding in an appropriate way to control tobacco use. Pointers on effective community mobilization and tobacco control educational resources for communities are outlined. The need to consider strategies targeting key high-risk population sub-groups is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The media is a key player in any tobacco control campaign. Mass media is often the most practical means to disseminate information and tobacco control messages rapidly to a large population. Media is the vehicle that shapes public opinion, and influences policy leaders. Often, repeated news coverage of an issue can guide the policy agenda of a government. Thus, developing good working relationships with media professionals is essential. This chapter presents practical advice on cultivating good media relationships and obtaining media coverage for tobacco control, even when resources are limited. Characteristics that make an event newsworthy, and that are required of an effective spokesperson, are identified. Practical tips are provided on how to develop several key pieces for media communication, including letters to the editor, opinion editorials and press releases, with actual examples. The chapter ends with a reminder that media can also become an effective advocate for tobacco control, if properly guided and encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Successful tobacco control depends largely upon having the human resources to develop and implement a range of activities at different levels. This chapter presents an overview of the issues related to training and education of the different groups involved in tobacco control. "Training" refers to the transfer of skills to build capacity to undertake effective tobacco control. "Education" means gaining knowledge and understanding about 1) methods of effective tobacco control and 2) dangers of tobacco and methods of cessation. Determining training and education needs of various groups requires an assessment of the current situation. Results of the situational analysis carried out in preparation for developing a national action plan can provide the critical information for this decision. The selection and development of appropriate materials and effective training methods, and the process of conducting effective training workshops are addressed. The chapter also provides examples of curricula from various types of training workshops, taken from actual sessions carried out in several countries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The social marketing of tobacco control requires strategic communication. Communication strategies play a key role, not only in ensuring that accurate information is accessible to the population, but also because well-designed communications campaigns can lead to changes in behaviour that are essential for reducing the prevalence of tobacco use. This chapter presents some key strategies and approaches to designing a social marketing and communications campaign for tobacco control. It draws from the experience of several countries, like Australia, Canada, Thailand, and the United States of America, where effective social marketing and communications campaigns have curtailed tobacco use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Chapter 4 of the book "National Control Programmes: Policies and Managerial Guidelines" is presented. It explores the scientific basis for the approach in cancer control by eliminating or minimizing exposure to the causes of cancer. It discusses several cancer prevention activities including tobacco control, healthy diet, reducing alcohol use and health education.

The Chapter focuses on the prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The most important aetiological factor in COPD is smoking and the most important preventative measure stopping or, never starting, to smoke. The two important approaches concerning smoking and prevention of COPD are helping established smokers to stop and reducing the numbers who start smoking. Most smokers start in their teenage years. There have been great difficulties finding effective ways of preventing the onset of smoking in young people. No techniques to help quitting are likely to be successful in smokers who are not motivated to stop, thus the first element may be to help to convince them of the benefits of stopping. The aim of nicotine replacement therapy is to replace the nicotine usually obtained from cigarettes, thus reducing the expected withdrawal symptoms. It results in an approximate doubling of cessation rates. In Great Britain at present nicotine replacement is available from pharmacies and, except for the nasal spray, without prescription. The costs are equivalent to the average costs of continued cigarette smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy became available on standard GP prescriptions in Great Britain in April 2001.

The article presents information on cassava vein mosaic virus-like viruses of the family Caulimoviridae. Their virion, genome and replication strategy are mentioned. The first report of the virus appeared in 1940. Another member of the family is tobacco pararetrovirus. The nucleotide sequences of the viruses are also presented.

A section of the book "Building Blocks for Tobacco Control: A Handbook" is presented. It offers information on the International Agency on Tobacco or Health. This agency is a public health charity based in Great Britain. It aims to support tobacco control advocates in other countries with limited resources, such as lack of funds. It publishes monthly news bulletin and other useful materials about tobacco control.

A section of the book "Building Blocks for Tobacco Control: A Handbook" is presented. It offers information on the Clearinghouse for Tobacco (C-TOB) web site. The web site was developed by the National Poison Centre of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. It provides evidence-based tobacco literature. Other services being provided by the web site include the distribution of anti-tobacco materials and publication of an electronic newsletter about tobacco control.

A section of the book "Building Blocks for Tobacco Control: A Handbook" is presented. It offers information on GLOBALink, the official web site of the International Union Against Cancer. The site serves thousands of its members worldwide. It provides tobacco control professionals the opportunity to exchange ideas and obtain information. Other services being provided by the web site include campaign coordination, access to other tobacco control links and distance learning.

A list of facts about tobacco and tobacco advertising is presented. Nicotine found in tobacco is a drug that is addictive. Second-hand tobacco smoke exposure has harmful effects on health. Efforts of the tobacco industry to develop less harmful tobacco products have failed. Most tobacco advertising, promotions and product design targets the youth and aim to increase consumption of tobacco products.

A list of factors which motivate the tobacco industry is presented. These factors include the need to make a profit, the fear of litigation and the need to protect tobacco from regulation. Another factor which motivates the industry is the desire to promote an image that is socially responsible and reformed.

The article presents quotes about the tobacco industry. One statement refers to a lobbying effort through the International Chamber of Commerce which aims to get national delegates to the World Health Assembly to oppose anti-tobacco recommendations. Another statement focuses on the aim of the tobacco industry in the U.S. Another statement focuses on the role of the firm Philip Morris in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.

A section of the book "Building Blocks for Tobacco Control: A Handbook" is presented. It provides an example of community initiatives to address the tobacco problem in their area. A member of a savings and loan club had tuberculosis but eventually recovered through the help of the club. The member's experience led to meetings about tobacco smoking and the formation of a support group to promote tobacco free. The community has a Health Committee that supports cessation of tobacco use.

A definition of the term "nicotine" is presented. The term refers to a compound present in tobacco and tobacco smoke that is responsible for the addictive properties of these products.

A definition of the term "betel quid" is presented. It refers to a preparation mainly composed of tobacco, areca nuts and slaked lime wrapped in a betel leaf. Betel quid chewing, which serves as a stimulant and narcotic, could lead to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral submucous fibrosis.