Letter to lpos_may_English version

Letter to LPOs_May Edition_English version Dearest SCOPHians,

Welcome to letter to LPOs for May. This month is very special since one of the most important campaigns is carried out worldwide.

“Tobacco is a plant. Its leaves are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety of effects” It seems like a simple definition. But, it’s more than a plant. Actually, tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats, an addiction that is responsible of: • Nearly 6 million people killed by tobacco each year.

• 600 000people die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.

• 63% of all deaths are caused by NCDs, with tobacco as the greatest risk factors • About one third of youth experimentation with tobacco occurs as a result of exposure to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

• Worldwide, 78% of young people aged 13-15 years report regular exposure to some form of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE

Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59

Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37

www.ifmsa.org

• Young people aged 13-15 years are up to five times more likely than adults to be offered free cigarettes by a representative of a tobacco company.

• Most people using tobacco products start doing so before the age of 20.

Everyone has the right to breathe tobacco free air.

That’s why; the most effective policy for reducing tobacco consumption is to increase the price of tobacco products through tax increases.

The fight against tobacco continues and for this year, for No Tobacco Day, WHO and partners have chosen the theme raise taxes on tobacco Below, dear SCOPHians attached all the resources for tobacco control movement: • Key facts: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/ http://global.tobaccofreekids.org/en/resources/by_issue/taxation_price/ • Tobacco free initiative and raise taxes’ theme: http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/en/ http://global.tobaccofreekids.org/files/pdfs/en/TAX_essential_facts_en.pdf http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2014/event/en/

• Risks of tobacco: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002032.htm

c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE

Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59

Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37

www.ifmsa.org

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/childandteento baccouse/child-and-teen-tobacco-use-child-and-teen-tobacco-use • The poster: http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2014/poster/en/ Many countries have succeeded in reducing smoking prevalence dramatically through tobacco control policies, and the biggest drop in the percentage of people smoking has tended to be in those Member States with the toughest policies. The four leading countries are: Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway.

The best results are achieved when a comprehensive set of measures to reduce the use of tobacco are implemented together.

The effects of tobacco control policies according to statistics compiled on 28 European countries by the European Network for Smoking Prevention Policy Price increase Public and workplace smoking ban Advertising ban Health warning on cigarette packs

Media campaigns Mandating or subsidising cessation treatment

c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE

Effect on prevalence rate A price rise of 10 percent decreases consumption by about 4 percent in high income countries.

5-10 percent decrease for workplace ban, 2-4 percent for ban in restaurants and other public places.

6 percent decrease for comprehensive ban Dutch study: 28 percent of 13-18 year olds said that they smoked less because of the new health warnings. Belgian study: as a result of the new warnings, 8 percent of those questioned in Belgium smoked less.

5-10 percent decrease in smoking rates.

Effects depend on whether campaigns are tailored to particular groups.

1-2 percent reduction after 2 years depending on coverage health.

Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59

Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37

www.ifmsa.org

Source: “Effective tobacco control policies in 28 European countries”, European Network for Smoking Prevention, 2004

The aim of this letter is to deliver factual information.

Resources: http://campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2014/en/ http://global.tobaccofreekids.org/en/resources/by_issue/taxation_price/

All the best, Marwa Daly Development Assistant on Publications and Marketing of SCOPH for the term 2013-2014

c/o WMA B.P, 63,01212 Ferney-Voltaire CDEX –FRANCE

Tel. +33 (450) 04 47 59

Fax. +33 (450) 40 59 37

www.ifmsa.org