he WHO's regional office for Europe is behind a number of networks
that have success fully launched communication campaigns to combat
smoking and improve health. [Next] [Previous] [Up] [Top] [Contents] [Index]
Chapter ten
he WHO's regional office for Europe is behind a number of networks
that have success fully launched communication campaigns to combat
smoking and improve health.
(50 Member States of the European Region of World Health Organization)
The Action Plan for Tobacco Free Europe is supported by a Network for a Tobacco Free Europe. Members of the network include official country counterparts nominated by Ministries of Health, WHO Collaborating Centres and representatives of international governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations with competence or responsibility for tobacco control activities. The network advises on and supports the implementation of the Action Plan for Tobacco Free Europe at the country and international level.
Contact Person: Dr Peter Anderson, Regional Advisor, Tobacco or Health, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark, (45) 39171248.
(37 national medical associations and the Regional Office)
European doctors, through the European Forum of Medical Associations, have called for governments to introduce effective, comprehensive tobacco control legislation, including a ban on all forms of advertisement and sponsorship. The Forum has asked medical associations to be strong advocates for action on tobacco in their own countries and to support a reduction in smoking by their own members. Through a consensus statement, the Forum has persuaded many airlines to adopt smoke-free flights.
Contact person: Dr Alan Rowe, Secretary, European Forum of Medical Associations, United Kingdom, (44) 1449 673 008.
The newly formed European Forum of Nursing Associations has committed itself to taking action on tobacco. With five million nurses in the Region, the forum represents a consider able force for action.
Contact person: Ms Ainna Fawcett-Henesy, Acting Regional Adviser for Nursing and Midwifery, Human Resources Development unit, (45) 39 17 13 55.
(31 national pharmaceutical associations and the Regional Office)
European pharmacists, through the EuroPharm Forum, have adopted a Pharmacists' Charter on Action against Smoking, which urges governments to ban the advertising of tobacco products and urges pharmacists to help smokers quit. By displaying posters and providing literature and advice to smokers who come into pharmacies, pharmacists have successfully highlighted the health risks of smoking and helped smokers to quit. With some 250 million smokers in the Region, there is a large field for action.
Contact person: Dr Ida Gustafsen, Professional Secretary, EuroPharm Forum, Quality of Care and Pharmaceuticals unit, (45) 39 15 15.
(25 regions)
The Regions for Health Network is exploring ways in which the WHO networks can collaborate more closely at the regional level: "to network the networks". It has chosen action on tobacco as a practical example of an important public health issue around which the networks can collaborate. As a result, the Network is preparing an action plan for tobacco-free regions. In many countries, particularly federated countries, the jurisdiction over, competence in and potential for tobacco control policies is stronger at the regional level than at the country level.
Contact person: Dr Anna Ritsatakis, Regional Adviser, Country Health Policies and Equity in Health, Health Policy unit, (45) 39 17 12 18.
(36 Project cities and 52 national networks of cities)
Cities within the Healthy Cities Project are required to take action on tobacco. A number of cities have joined forces in a multi-city action plan on tobacco. This requires cities to develop and implement a municipal action plan on tobacco, implement tobacco policies on municipal premises, introduce policies for smoke-free public places and ban tobacco advertising on municipally-owned billboards and advertising sites.
Contact person: Dr Agis Tsouros, Regional Adviser, Urban Health Policy, Health Policy unit, (45) 39 17 15 09.
(37 countries with over 500 schools)
School-based action to promote health includes the incorporation of tobacco issues into curricula and the development of a tobacco policy. It also includes advocacy for a tobacco control policy within local communities, as school-based action cannot be isolated from the wider environment. Education and decision-making about tobacco are easily rendered null and void, if young people are exposed to tobacco advertising and an adult community in which smoking is common.
Contact persons: Ms Vivian Rasmussen and MrDavid Rivett, Investment in Health and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention unit, (45) 39 17 14 10/15 76.
(24 countries)
The CINDI (country-wide integrated noncommunicable disease intervention) programme has long blazed a trail of community-based action projects to reduce tobacco use. At the country level, CINDI coordinating groups are active advocates for tobacco control legislation. The CINDI project runs the "Quit and Win" campaign throughout Europe, which has helped a large number of smokers to quit.
Contact person: Dr Aushra Shatchkute, Regional Adviser, Chronic Disease Prevention, Investment in Health and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention unit, (45) 39 17 13 86. n