Question

Briefly, explain how does cigarettes industry framed the health policies of smoking cigarettes.

How does public health personnel control the use of cigarettes?

Answer 1

Smoking is the probable reason of various life threatening diseases, which make it as one of the most prominent causes of avertable deaths around the world. World Health Organization along with many governments is trying to discourage people from smoking by publicizes the harmful effects of smoking, anti-smoking campaigns in media and discouraging promotional videos of cigarette manufacturer companies. Passive smoking, which affects people in the surrounding area of smokers, is a major reason for the enforcement of smoking bans. As per this law, smoking in indoor public places, such as bars, pubs and restaurants becomes illegal. Further, a common concern among legislators is to discourage smoking among underage customers and various states have passed laws against selling of tobacco product to minors. However, many developing countries still not accepted any anti-smoking policy and this is major setback for anti-smoking campaigns.

Health professionals have a prominent role in tobacco control. At the individual level, they can educate the people about the harms of tobacco use and exposure to passive smoke. They may also help the users to overcome their addiction. At community level, health professionals can be leader and initiators of policies stated by government and WHO. At the society level, health professionals can support the national and global tobacco control efforts like tax increase campaigns and get involved at the national level in supporting the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). In addition to above, health professional organizations can show leadership and become a role model for other professional organizations and society against the use of tobacco worldwide.