WHO's MPOWER Tobacco Control

Study Notes

MPOWER - Monitoring Tobacco Use and Prevention Policies

Data is necessary for implementing and evaluating effective tobacco control policies.
Continual monitoring of the tobacco epidemic and interventions helps improve their management.
WHO works with countries to:
Encourage use of standards and scientific protocols for monitoring tobacco use among adults and adolescents.
Gather data for national and global monitoring of trends in tobacco use and strengthening tobacco control policies.
Advocate for strengthening of policies that effectively reduce tobacco use.

Protecting People from Tobacco Smoke

Creating completely smoke-free indoor public places is popular and does not harm business.
Any country can implement effective smoke-free legislation, regardless of income level.
Only a total ban on smoking in indoor public places protects people from second-hand smoke, helps smokers quit, and reduces youth smoking.

Offering Help to Quit Tobacco Use

Many people want to quit smoking, but only 4% succeed without adequate support.
Behavioral interventions, such as "brief advice" from health professionals, can help people quit.
Toll-free quit lines and mobile phone-based cessation interventions can increase the absolute quit rate.
Pharmacological interventions, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy and medications, can increase quit success rates.

Warning about the Dangers of Tobacco

Warnings should appear on both the front and back of packaging, be large and clear, and describe specific illnesses caused by tobacco.
Graphic images demonstrating the harm of tobacco use can be especially effective in convincing users to quit.

Enforcing Bans on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS)

TAPS bans should protect children and adolescents from exposure through digital media.
TAPS bans are an effective tobacco control measure to reduce tobacco use.
Bans must cover all TAPS activities.

Raising Taxes on Tobacco

Tobacco taxation is relatively inexpensive to implement and generates significant revenues.
Raising taxes to increase the price of tobacco products is the most effective tobacco control measure.
Tobacco tax revenues can help fund a sustainable tobacco program.
Taxes should be raised periodically to offset inflation and income growth.

Facts about Jordan

More than 6 out of 10 men and 41% of the overall adult population are smokers.
24% of students aged between 13 and 15 are current smokers.
Tobacco use is associated with approximately 1 in 8 deaths in the country.
Tobacco use costs Jordan an estimated US$2.67 billion in healthcare expenditures and lost productivity.

Impact in Jordan

Households in Jordan spend more on tobacco-related products than on fruits, dairy products, meat, and vegetables.

Smoking Cessation Clinic

The Smoking Cessation Clinic was established to contribute to effective tobacco control and reduce cancer cases in Jordan.
The clinic provides integrated services through individualized treatment plans that include behavioral therapy and medical therapy from certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists.

Description

Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies to implement effective tobacco control measures. WHO works with countries to encourage standard protocols for monitoring tobacco use among adults and adolescents.