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The policy theme is organised around the main provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It has 12 modules:

• Protection against the hazards of tobacco smoke
• Advertising, sponsorship, and other forms of promotion
• Labelling and packaging
• Tax/price measures
• Anti-smuggling measures
• Tobacco product sales and distribution
• Inspections and enforcement
• Education
• Cessation
• Regulation of tobacco products
• Reporting requirements
• Recovery of damages
  

The materials in the policy theme are adapted and updated by Rose Nathan from Model Legislation for Tobacco Control: A policy Development and Legislative Drafting Manual (2004) published by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, France. The policy theme has been developed with the kind collaboration and support of the Framework Convention Alliance and the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids.

We are at a stage of tobacco control globally where we have at our disposal:

• a strong body of evidence of the health, economic, social, and environmental harms caused by tobacco
• evidence showing which control measures work and which do not
• experience from different countries of the most effective tobacco control measures
• knowledge of the tactics used by the tobacco industry to fight and to evade effective regulation
• the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which requires governments who have signed the treaty (parties) to enact certain measures and sets minimum standards for tobacco control

Taken together, this body of evidence and tools can guide the development of successful tobacco control policies.

Using these tools, this course covers the main regulatory measures important for implementing effective tobacco control policies.

Protection against the hazards of tobacco smoke
Smokefree workplace and public places offer full protection against the health hazards of secondhand smoke. Ventilation and partial restrictions are not effective.

Advertising, sponsorship and other forms of promotion
Direct and indirect advertising increases tobacco consumption, especially among youth. The only effective control measure is to ban all forms of advertising, sponsorship, and promotion.

Labelling and packaging
Most tobacco users do not know the true risks of using tobacco products or the harm tobacco smoke causes others. Large picture based graphic warnings/messages are effective in communicating the risks of tobacco use and in helping motivate users to quit.

So-called ‘low tar’ cigarettes do not deliver less tar and nicotine than full strength cigarettes and are no less harmful. Tar and nicotine yield numbers measured by the ISO and similar methods are misleading and should not be allowed on packages.

Tax/price measures
Tax/price measures are among the most effective strategies for reducing tobacco use, especially among youth and those with low incomes. There is clear evidence that tax/price increases result in both a decrease in consumption and an increase in government revenues.

Tobacco tax revenues, or part of revenues, should be dedicated for use for tobacco control or other health measures.

Anti-smuggling measures
Smuggled tobacco products increase consumption. Smuggling robs the government of huge amounts of tax revenues. Tobacco companies play a big role in smuggling.

Labelling, licensing, reporting, bonding, and monitoring requirements make up a comprehensive mix of anti-smuggling measures.

Tobacco product sales and distribution
The evidence is split on the effectiveness of youth access measures, such as bans on sales to minors. Youth access provisions must form part of a comprehensive package of tobacco control measures rather than from the main component of the government’s tobacco control policy.

Inspections and enforcement measures
The government needs broad and flexible powers of inspection and enforcement, with clearly identified authority and responsibilities.

Education
Education and public awareness can generally be implemented as policy without passing a law. Passing laws, however, helps ensure their implementation and an appropriate budget.

Cessation
Policies and programmes to help people to stop smoking can increase the impact of a comprehensive tobacco control programme.

Regulation of tobacco products
Although there is a need to regulate tobacco products, it is not yet understood how best to do this to reduce harm. Governments should have broad authority to regulate the contents, emissions, and design of tobacco products.

Guidance from governments that have developed requirements for regulating the ignition propensity (fire safety) of cigarettes is available now.

Reporting requirements
Governments should have broad authority to establish requirements for testing and reporting of the constituents of tobacco products. That authority can be exercised through regulations when there is sufficient capacity to do so.

Recovery of damages
Governments should consider taking legislative action or promoting their existing laws to deal with criminal and civil liability, including compensation where appropriate.