UN announces new $17 million push for tobacco control in developing States

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today announced a new $17 million programme for tobacco control research in developing countries.

The International Tobacco Health Research and Capacity Building Programme, cosponsored by WHO and the United States National Institutes for Health, will support research on tobacco consumption and related health risks in developing countries over the next five years. Besides providing a better understanding of the tobacco burden, the programme will build up the institutional and personnel capacity of developing countries in tackling what WHO calls the "tobacco epidemic."

"Through this new US-WHO partnership, more countries can enhance their research capacity and strengthen their ability to effectively control tobacco use," said Dr. Derek Yach, WHO's Executive Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health.

With few exceptions, most tobacco control research to date has concentrated on developed countries, where tobacco consumption is rising and tobacco-related deaths are multiplying rapidly, according to WHO. The agency estimates that 70 per cent of all tobacco-related deaths will occur in low and middle-income countries starting in 2020.

"Developing countries need to act now if they are to save lives," warned Dr. Yach. "The most effective policies are those backed by the right research and data," he added, noting that applied research in Brazil, South Africa and Thailand has led to effective policies.

WHO said new evidence on tobacco use and trends in developing countries would assist negotiators working to achieve a strong and effective Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is currently being drafted by representatives from 191 States.