Tobacco Trends, Programmes and Advocacy and Impact Data

The Drum Beat
2001-10-23

An informative update on programs designed to address the global tobacco epidemic.

The following information appears with permission from The Communication Initiative and The Drum Beat, http://www.comminit.com/drum_beat_110.html

TOBACCO TRENDS

1. 4 million people die every year; by 2020 [estimate] 8.6 million will be killed every year - 70% will occur in developing countries; Tobacco-related diseases could kill more people than HIV, tuberculosis, maternal mortality, motor vehicle accidents, suicide and homicide combined; Globally, 48% of men and 12% of women [approx] currently smoke. In developing countries, 48% of men and 7% of women smoke. This refers to cigarettes and not the use of chewing tobacco, beedis, snuff etc. By the mid 2020s, predicted that only 15% of the smokers will live in developed countries.

PROGRAMMES AND ADVOCACY

2. Smoke Free Villages - Thailand - Approached youth in villages around Bangkok to brainstorm anti-smoking strategies. Resulted in the ASH Smoke Free Villages campaign which used youth as health advocates, printed material, art murals and organised community events to convey their anti-smoking message. Contact: [email protected]

3. Soul City: Multi Media - South Africa - TV drama features story lines such as a smoker trying to quit, community initiatives to stop shopkeepers from selling tobacco to children, and youngsters trying to pressure their friends to try smoking. Soul City also uses PR and advertising to advocate for the anti-tobacco campaign and also to popularize the television and radio programmes. Contact: Garth Japhet - [email protected]

4. Traditional Media - Indonesia - Such as the wayung kulit (shadow puppet theatre)...Among the messages are warnings about the harmful effects of smoking for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies, and the dangers of smoking for all family members...Heart Foundation Indonesia promotes tobacco-free areas in factories and educational institutions. Studies show strong cultural disapproval of tobacco use among women and the numbers of women smoking are low, however, there has been an upward trend in women smoking. Contact: [email protected]

5. 2 Smart 2 Smoke Theatre - USA - For elementary school children to increase awareness and prevent the onset of smoking. Two 30-minute plays presented at 160 schools in Minnesota. 1 play for kindergarten through 3rd grade and the other for 4th through 6th grade. Includes classroom activities and take-home materials for parents. The K-3 play was an adaptation of the Three Little Pigs. Contact: Dr. CL Perry

6. Internet Tobacco Control Network - Czech Republic- Uses ICT as a basis for communication and training of professionals working in the field of health and awareness raising. Traditional media, such as TV and newspapers refuse to publish anti-tobacco information. This project reaches the Network's target group: decision-makers and the general public. Contact: Sushma Palmer

7. MelJol - India - "...when we started the cleanliness campaign, we discovered that much of the litter was empty gutka (a mixture of tobacco, areca nut and aromatic flavors, plus several other additives) sachets...made us aware that large numbers of children were eating something that could give them mouth cancer. While schools were severe with children caught smoking, gutka was allowed." Contact: Jerry Pinto

8. �Tobacco Kills, Don�t be duped,� - [WHO - funded by UN Foundation] Aims to strengthen the ability of journalists and other health communicators to sift facts from fiction about tobacco use, its spread and promotion. Engages and supports nationally based social entrepreneurs and change agents from the media, NGO community, health professions or private sector, and government." Contact: Chitra Subramaniam

9.World No Tobacco Day - 31 May - 2001 theme was �Second hand smoke kills�Let�s Clear the Air.� a call for global bans on public smoking as the comprehensive way to protect people�s health. 2002 theme is �Tobacco Free Sports.� Work with sports associations to take tobacco-free sports to the regional and local level. WHO invites local organizations to plan Tobacco-Free Sport events now.

10. BBC�s "Tobacco On Trial" - Global - 5 x 30-minute radio programmes broadcast. Focus on Malawi; Virginia; and, Hungary. Broadcast on the English Service. Part of a "Tobacco on Trial" season with other programmes for the Arabic, Thai, Hindi, Bengali, Spanish and Africa language services.

IMPACT DATA

11. Impact: 2 Smart 2 Smoke - USA - Among the students in grades 4-6, 76% reported that they learned about alternatives to smoking and 56% practised ways to say "no" to cigarette offers. The theatre production did affect intentions to not smoke in the future for all of the students. Contact: Dr. CL Perry

12. Impact: Soul City - South Africa - 95% of people exposed to Soul City increased knowledge about the negative effects of smoking. Smoking perceptions changed; the most popular of which was, "It is not cool to smoke". Qualitative feedback indicated people had been inspired to give up or cut down on smoking. Contact: Sue Goldstein