Tobacco or health: a WHO programme

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health Policy
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Tobacco use causes an estimated 3 million deaths annually, necessitating a global health response.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is a key international body addressing this man-made epidemic.
• The WHO's structure and traditional functions facilitated the creation of a global Tobacco or Health programme.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the WHO's constitutional mandates driving the Tobacco or Health programme.
• To outline the programme's key activities: advocacy, information dissemination, and national program development.
• To highlight the WHO's role in steering the programme amidst scientific and political developments.

Main Methods:

• Review of WHO's constitutional mandates and programme activities.
• Analysis of WHO's role in international health policy and tobacco control.
• Examination of the programme's focus on developing countries and vulnerable populations.

Main Results:

• WHO's mandates have led to specific activities supporting health promotion, advocacy, and public information.
• The programme validates and disseminates crucial information on tobacco control.
• WHO supports the development of national tobacco control programmes and provides a forum for policy debate.
• The programme prioritizes addressing tobacco-related issues in developing countries, focusing on women and children.

Conclusions:

• The WHO's Tobacco or Health programme effectively utilizes its mandates to drive global tobacco control efforts.
• International support and strategic steering are crucial for the programme's success in a dynamic environment.
• The programme's focus on developing nations and vulnerable groups like women and children is vital for preventing future epidemics.