DEMAND REDUCTION MEASURES OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Despite growing evidence since the 1950s of the hazards of tobacco use, the Tobacco Industry has continued to carry out its trade with impunity. Interventions to reduce the demand of tobacco products that are effective at reducing tobacco-attributable mortality and morbidity include completely smoke-free environments, strong regulations on tobacco packaging and labeling, comprehensive bans of advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and increases of price.
In order to create the demand for its products, the Tobacco Industry has employed a multitude of tactics to shape and influence public health and tobacco control policy. In African societies, for instance, it was uncommon for youth or women to smoke tobacco. However, since the 1960s, smoking in these population groups has increased significantly, in contrast to European countries where smoking rates are steadily decreasing. This development can be attributed to an increased presence of the transnational tobacco manufacturing companies in Africa, but weak health policies have also greatly contributed. Pro-tobacco trade policies in African countries have not only supported increased acreage of tobacco farming, but have also embraced the tobacco industry manufacturing and marketing strategies.
This is apparently due to the revenue accrued by governments from tobacco tax, and the claim by the Industry to create employment opportunities. The transnational nature of the Tobacco Industry requires a transnational approach to curb its activities particularly in low income countries, where the industry has a relatively strong influence. Therefore, to reduce tobacco demand, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) provides price and tax measures (Article 6), the most effective means of reducing tobacco use, and also non-price measures to reduce tobacco demand (Articles 8 to 14). These Articles and the relevant Guidelines urge Parties to adopt appropriate legislative administrative or other measures to reduce the demand of tobacco in their respective countries.