Global smoking-related deaths averted due to MPOWER policies implemented at the highest level between 2007 and 2020.

BACKGROUND: In response to the harm caused by tobacco use worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Assembly actioned the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005. To help countries meet their FCTC obligations, the WHO introduced in 2008 the MPOWER policy package and by 2020 the FCTC had been ratified by 182 parties. The package consists of six evidence-based demand reduction smoking cessation policies to assist countries to achieve best practice. We used published evaluation results and replicated the published model to estimate current policy achievement and demonstrate the impact and equity of the MPOWER policy package in reducing the global number of smokers and smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) between 2007 and 2020. METHODS: We replicated an evaluation model (the Abridged SimSmoke model) used previously for country impact assessments and validated our replicated reduction in SADs for policies between 2014 and 2016 against the published results. The replicated model was then applied to report on the country level SADs averted from achieving the highest level of implementation, that is best practice in MPOWER policies, between 2016 and 2020. The latest results were then combined with past published results to estimate the reduction in SADs since the commencement of the MPOWER policy package. Country level income status was used to investigate the equity in the uptake of MPOWER policies worldwide. RESULTS: Identical estimates for SADs in 41 out of 56 MPOWER policies implemented in 43 countries suggested good agreement in the model replication. The replicated model overestimated the reduction in SADs by 159,800 (1.5%) out of a total of 10.5 million SADs with three countries contributing to the majority of this replication discrepancy. Updated analysis estimated a reduction of 8.57 million smokers and 3.37 million SADs between 2016 and 2020. Between 2007 and 2020, 136 countries had adopted and maintained at least one MPOWER policy at the highest level which was associated with a reduction in 81.0 million smokers and 28.3 million SADs. Seventy five percent of this reduction was in middle income countries, 20% in high income and less than 5% in low income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable progress has been made by MPOWER policies to reduce the prevalence of smokers globally. However, there is inequality in the implementation and maintenance, reach and influence, and the number of SADs averted. Future research to modify the model could provide a more comprehensive evaluation of past and future progress in tobacco control policies, worldwide.

Boosting self-efficacy and improving practices for smoking prevention and cessation among South American cancer care providers with a web-based algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Digital technologies have positively impacted the availability and usability of clinical algorithms through the advancement in mobile health. Therefore, this study aimed to determine if a web-based algorithm designed to support the decision-making process of cancer care providers (CCPs) differentially impacted their self-reported self-efficacy and practices for providing smoking prevention and cessation services in Peru and Colombia. METHODS: A simple decision-making tree algorithm was built in REDCap using information from an extensive review of the currently available smoking prevention and cessation resources. We employed a pre-post study design with a mixed-methods approach among 53 CCPs in Peru and Colombia for pilot-testing the web-based algorithm during a 3-month period. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the CCPs' self-efficacy and practices before and after using the web-based algorithm. The usability of the web-based algorithm was quantitatively measured with the system usability scale (SUS), as well as qualitatively through the analysis of four focus groups conducted among the participating CCPs. RESULTS: The pre-post assessments indicated that the CCPs significantly improved their self-efficacy and practices toward smoking prevention and cessation services after using the web-based algorithm. The overall average SUS score obtained among study participants was 82.9 (± 9.33) [Peru 81.5; Colombia 84.1]. After completing the qualitative analysis of the focus groups transcripts, four themes emerged: limited resources currently available for smoking prevention and cessation in oncology settings, merits of the web-based algorithm, challenges with the web-based algorithm, and suggestions for improving this web-based decision-making tool. CONCLUSION: The web-based algorithm showed high usability and was well-received by the CCPs in Colombia and Peru, promoting a preliminary improvement in their smoking prevention and cessation self-efficacy and practices.

Equity implications of tobacco taxation: results from WHO FCTC investment cases.

BACKGROUND: Across time, geographies and country income levels, smoking prevalence is highest among people with lower incomes. Smoking causes further impoverishment of those on the lower end of the income spectrum through expenditure on tobacco and greater risk of ill health. METHODS: This paper summarises the results of investment case equity analyses for 19 countries, presenting the effects of increased taxation on smoking prevalence, health and expenditures. We disaggregate the number of people who smoke, smoking-attributable mortality and cigarette expenditures using smoking prevalence data by income quintile. A uniform 30% increase in price was applied across countries. We estimated the effects of the price increase on smoking prevalence, mortality and cigarette expenditures. RESULTS: In all but one country (Bhutan), a one-time 30% increase in price would reduce smoking prevalence by the largest percent among the poorest 20% of the population. All income groups in all countries would spend more on cigarettes with a 30% increase in price. However, the poorest 20% would pay an average of 12% of the additional money spent. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that health benefits from increases in price through taxation are pro-poor. Even in countries where smoking prevalence is higher among wealthier groups, increasing prices can still be pro-poor due to variable responsiveness to higher prices. The costs associated with higher smoking prevalence among the poor, together with often limited access to healthcare services and displaced spending on basic needs, result in health inequality and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

Advancing progress on tobacco control in low-income and middle-income countries through economic analysis.

BACKGROUND: More than 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where progress to address tobacco and its harms has been slow. The perception that tobacco control detracts from economic priorities has impeded progress. The Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is leading the FCTC 2030 project, which includes technical assistance to LMICs to analyse the economic costs of tobacco use and the benefits of tobacco control. METHODS: The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, United Nations Development Programme and WHO supported 21 LMICs between 2017 and 2022 to complete national investment cases to guide country implementation of the WHO FCTC, with analytical support provided by RTI International. These country-level cases combine customised estimates of tobacco's economic impact with qualitative analysis of socio-political factors influencing tobacco control. This paper overviews the approach, observed tobacco control advancements and learnings from 21 countries: Armenia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tunisia and Zambia. RESULTS: Tobacco control advancements in line with investment case findings and recommendations have been observed in 17 of the 21 countries, and many have improved collaboration and policy coherence between health and economic stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control must be seen as more than a health concern. Tobacco control leads to economic benefits and contributes to sustainable development. National investment cases can support country ownership and leadership to advance tobacco control.

Interpreting results, impacts and implications from WHO FCTC tobacco control investment cases in 21 low-income and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco control investment cases analyse the health and socioeconomic costs of tobacco use and the benefits that can be achieved from implementing measures outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). They are intended to provide policy-makers and other stakeholders with country-level evidence that is relevant, useful and responsive to national priorities and policy context. METHODS: This paper synthesises findings from investment cases conducted in Armenia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Eswatini, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Laos, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tunisia and Zambia. We examine annual socioeconomic costs associated with tobacco use, focusing on smoking-related healthcare expenditures, the value of lives lost due to tobacco-related mortality and workplace productivity losses due to smoking. We explore potential benefits associated with WHO FCTC tobacco demand-reduction measures. RESULTS: Tobacco use results in average annual socioeconomic losses of US$95 million, US$610 million and US$1.6 billion among the low-income (n=3), lower-middle-income (n=12) and upper-middle-income countries (n=6) included in this analysis, respectively. These losses are equal to 1.1%, 1.8% and 2.9% of average annual national gross domestic product, respectively. Implementation and enforcement of WHO FCTC tobacco demand-reduction measures would lead to reduced tobacco use, fewer tobacco-related deaths and reduced socioeconomic losses. CONCLUSIONS: WHO FCTC tobacco control measures would provide a positive return on investment in every country analysed.

Evolving methodology of national tobacco control investment cases.

BACKGROUND: This article describes an investment case methodology for tobacco control that was applied in 36 countries between 2017 and 2022. METHODS: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) investment cases compared two scenarios: a base case that calculated the tobacco-attributable mortality, morbidity and economic costs with status quo tobacco control, and an intervention scenario that described changes in those same outcomes from fully implementing and enforcing a variety of proven, evidence-based tobacco control policies and interventions. Health consequences included the tobacco-attributable share of mortality and morbidity from 38 diseases. The healthcare expenditures and the socioeconomic costs from the prevalence of those conditions were combined to calculate the total losses due to tobacco. The monetised benefits of improvements in health resulting from tobacco control implementation were compared with costs of expanding tobacco control to assess returns on investment in each country. An institutional and context analysis assessed the political and economic dimensions of tobacco control in each context. RESULTS: We applied a rigorous yet flexible methodology in 36 countries over 5 years. The replicable model and framework may be used to inform development of tobacco control cases in countries worldwide. CONCLUSION: Investment cases constitute a tool that development partners and advocates have demanded in even greater numbers. The economic argument for tobacco control provided by this set of country-contextualised analyses can be a strong tool for policy change.

Which countries are ready for a tobacco endgame? A scoping review and cluster analysis.

Various countries have set tobacco endgame targets to eliminate tobacco use by a certain year. Tobacco endgames are generally considered more feasible in countries with advanced tobacco control measures and a smoking prevalence of 15% or less. We conducted a scoping review of 563 articles sourced from news, academic literature, and grey literature to examine global tobacco endgame progress, and grouped 153 countries into clusters based on their tobacco policy implementation score and smoking prevalence to systematically identify countries that might be well positioned to succeed in a tobacco endgame. The EU, Pacific Islands, and 18 other individual countries have set tobacco endgame targets, with another seven countries described as well positioned for an endgame. These were mostly high-income countries with higher smoking prevalence. We identified 28 endgame-ready countries with advanced tobacco policies and a low smoking prevalence. Of these, only five were part of tobacco endgame movements; the remaining 23 were all low-income or middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, or Asia. Therefore, the global tobacco endgame movement should focus more on low-income and middle-income countries with low smoking rates and advanced tobacco policies, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Validating the Antismoking AIDA Model-Based Questionnaire for Malaysian Population.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to validate the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action) Model-Based Antismoking Campaign Questionnaire to be used in Malaysian population. METHOD: This study consists of mainly translation, validation, and pilot testing. The translation phase using forward and backward translation, involved three panels and three translators. The validation was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2023 with a purposive sampling technique. The data was collected through e-mails among eight experts. These experts answered an online questionnaire on a four-option Likert scale, based on the four concepts of relevancy, clarity, comprehensiveness, and representativeness. The content validity index (CVI) was measured on the scale of the content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) and Universal Agreement (UA). For pilot testing, the final version was tested among 25 non-smokers and six smokers to determine its reliability using the Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The content validity study for relevancy, clarity, comprehension, and representative S-CVI/Ave is 0.85, 0.79, 0.79, and 0.84, respectively. The CVI score of above 0.83 indicates all items are relevant and representable. The pilot testing shows high internal consistency for both samples, more than 0.85. CONCLUSION: In summary, the adapted translated version's content validity index was satisfactory, and it can be further pilot tested among the other target population.

Strategies for Effective Capacity-Building in the Fight Against Commercial Tobacco.

The Center for Black Health & Equity's approach to addressing health inequities relies on the inherent ability within community-based organizations to respond to public health priorities while addressing the political and social determinants of health. By using Dr. Robert Robinson's Community Development Model as a foundational framework, communities can address systemic barriers that impede optimal health outcomes. The model includes community engagement and mobilization activities that motivate communities to achieve equity-centered policy change and offers milestones that show progress made toward their goals and objectives. We operationalized the Community Development Model into the Community Capacity Building Curriculum to train community partners to form a multicultural coalition through asset mapping as a tool for community mobilization. This curriculum is both cost effective and efficient because it enables communities to address health disparities beyond tobacco control, such as food and nutrition, housing, and environmental issues. Coalitions are prepared to identify and make recommendations to address policies that perpetuate health disparities. Facing off against a powerful tobacco industry giant is challenging for small grassroots organizations advocating for stricter tobacco regulations and policies. Such organizations struggle for resources; however, their passion and dedication to the mission of saving Black lives can promote change.

Pursuing a smoke-free generation.

The United Kingdom may soon become a world leader in forging a smoke-free generation. Last month, the country passed a bill that bans the sale of cigarettes to anyone born in 2009 or later. The prime minister claims the policy will "phase out smoking in young people almost completely as early as 2040." A final vote by Parliament is expected next month. Tobacco claims 8 million lives every year, and could claim a billion lives over this century-mostly in low- and middle-income countries. For every person that dies, at least 30 more suffer from smokingrelated chronic disease. The benefits of a tobacco-free society would be transformational.

Facilitators and Barriers to Passing Local Policies That Prohibit the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products: Qualitative Analysis of Strategies Implemented by 36 Communities in California, 2017-2021.

To reduce youth access to tobacco products, the California Tobacco Prevention Program funded local tobacco prevention programs from July 2017 through December 2021 to address its Communities of Excellence Indicator 3.2.9: "the number of jurisdictions with a policy eliminating or restricting the sale and/or distribution of any mentholated cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, and paraphernalia." We examined the strategies by which community coalitions attempted to limit the number of stores selling flavored tobacco across California. Thirty-six final evaluation reports (FERs) were used for our analysis. We examined certain elements or factors as primary areas of interest because of their apparent link to successful outcomes in analyses of FERs in the past. Over half (19 of 36) of FERs reported successfully passing at least 1 policy to regulate the sale of flavored tobacco products. Urban communities passed more policies (16 of 18) compared with rural communities (3 of 18). Successful campaigns tended to involve youth, demonstrate illegal sales to minors and public support for a ban, and identify a champion. Barriers included the COVID-19 pandemic, California wildfires, staffing shortages, and conservative political climates. This evaluation offers insights into the successes and challenges faced by local coalitions seeking policy changes for tobacco use prevention, which can be different for urban and rural communities. The evaluation also indicates the necessity of adopting flexible tactical plans for overcoming environmental factors that affected intervention and evaluation activities.

Exposure to pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco media messages and events and smoking behaviour among adolescents in Gambia.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread prevalence of adolescent smoking in Gambia, a West African country, there is limited research exploring the relationships between exposure to pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco media messages and events and smoking behaviour among young people. This study investigates the interplay of these exposures and smoking behaviour among 11-17-year-old adolescents in Gambia. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2017 Gambia Global Youth and Tobacco Survey (GYTS), which included a total of 9,127 respondents. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including proportions, Pearson's chi-squared tests, and multivariable logistic regression models, were employed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The final model revealed significant associations between exposure to anti-tobacco media messages and events and smoking behaviour. Adolescents exposed to anti-tobacco media messages had a 29% increased odds of smoking (aOR 1.29,CI = 1.08,1.53) compared to those unexposed, while exposure to anti-tobacco media events showed a 31% increased odds (aOR 1.31,CI = 1.09,1.59) compared to those unexposed. Exposure to pro-tobacco messages, such as witnessing tobacco use on TV (aOR 1.41, CI = 1.17,1.69) and owning objects with tobacco brand logos (aOR 1.49,CI = 1.19,1.86), was associated with higher odds of smoking. Covariates, including sex, age, and exposure to smoking behaviour by significant others, also demonstrated associations with smoking behaviour. Notably, male respondents showed significantly higher odds of smoking (aOR = 4.01,CI = 3.28,4.89) compared to females. Respondents aged 15 years and older had increased odds of smoking (aOR = 1.47,CI = 1.22,1.76) compared to those below 15 years old. Those whose fathers smoke displayed higher odds of smoking (aOR = 1.35, CI = 1.04,1.76) compared to individuals with non-smoking parents. Additionally, those whose closest friends smoke showed remarkably higher odds of smoking (aOR = 2.87,CI = 2.37, 3.48) compared to those without such influence. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the significant impact of exposure to both anti-tobacco and pro-tobacco media messages and events on smoking behaviour among adolescents in Gambia. However, pro-tobacco messages had a greater influence on smoking prevalence than anti-tobacco messages and events. Understanding these associations is crucial for devising effective public health interventions aimed at reducing tobacco use in this population.

Smoking and mental disability : A mixed observational study using a diverse sample of medical-social establishments and services / Tabagisme et handicap psychique : étude observationnelle mixte dans un échantillon diversifié d'établissements et de services médico-sociaux.

INTRODUCTION: A multi-center observational study was carried out in ten ESMS, using a mixed methodology (site visits, questionnaire survey, semi-directive group interviews with professionals and individual interviews with users). PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: The aim of this article is to describe the management and prevention of smoking in ESMS for people with mental health disorders, and to characterize and identify the smoking behaviors and representations of ESMS users and the professionals working there. RESULTS: The study made it possible to distinguish between ESMS in terms of the organization of smoking areas and tobacco prevention initiatives. It also revealed that 37 percent of respondents among the professionals said they smoked tobacco, with some of them explaining that they smoked with users and sometimes gave them cigarettes. With regard to prevention, there was a consensus among professionals that they should help users who wanted to stop smoking. Professionals were divided, however, on the need for more active prevention, citing the users' freedom and the fact that ESMS are places where people live. Among the users, 47 percent said they were smokers. Of the users who smoked, 55 percent said they wanted to stop. Interviews with the users revealed that twelve of them wanted to quit, with some asking for help and more assistance from professionals. CONCLUSIONS: This report suggests that intervention research could be developed in ESMS for people with mental health disorders, who could benefit from the smoking prevention actions identified in the facilities and services investigated.

Introduction: Une étude observationnelle multicentrique a été réalisée dans dix ESMS et mobilisait une méthodologie mixte (visite des structures, enquête par questionnaires, entretiens semi-directifs collectifs avec des professionnels et individuels avec des usagers). But de l'étude: Cet article vise à décrire la gestion et la prévention du tabagisme dans des établissements et services médico-sociaux (ESMS) accueillant des personnes avec un trouble psychique, et à caractériser et identifier les comportements tabagiques et les représentations de leurs usagers et professionnels. Résultats: L'étude a permis de distinguer les ESMS au regard de l'organisation des espaces du tabagisme et des actions de prévention du tabac. Elle a permis également de constater que 37 % des professionnels qui ont répondu déclaraient fumer du tabac, une partie d'entre eux expliquant fumer avec les usagers et leur donner parfois des cigarettes. Concernant la prévention, un consensus se dégageait chez les professionnels sur le fait d'aider les usagers qui souhaitaient arrêter. Les professionnels étaient cependant divisés à l'égard d'une prévention plus active, invoquant la liberté de l'usager et le fait que les ESMS sont des lieux de vie. 47 % des usagers se disaient fumeurs. 55 % des usagers fumeurs déclaraient vouloir arrêter. Les entretiens avec les usagers ont permis de constater que douze d'entre eux souhaitaient arrêter, une partie réclamant de l'aide et d'être davantage aidés par les professionnels. Conclusions: Cet état des lieux invite à développer des recherches interventionnelles dans les ESMS accueillant des personnes avec un trouble psychique qui pourraient tirer profit des actions de prévention du tabac repérées dans des structures enquêtées.