INTRODUCTION

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Reducing tobacco use is one of the most important preventive health initiatives in the Western Pacific Region. It is estimated that 60% of men and 8% of women in the Western Pacific Region smoke, and tobacco consumption is still increasing. The increasing prevalence of smoking among adolescents and women is of particular concern.

The consequences of tobacco use are devastating. From a health perspective, tobacco is recognized as a greater cause of death and disability than any single disease. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health impacts of tobacco consumption as the industry increasingly directs its efforts towards them. The economic effects of widespread tobacco consumption are equally negative. Tobacco use is a major drain on the world's financial resources, with at least half of the losses occurring in developing countries that can least afford them. Tobacco smoke is an established environmental pollutant that impairs the health of smokers and non-smokers alike. Significant and sustained reduction in smoking prevalence can be achieved by a combination of health promotion (including assistance with smoking cessation), education and advocacy; legislative and fiscal measures (including taxation and price policies); capability building and tobacco control monitoring and surveillance.

The previous Regional Action Plans on Tobacco or Health covered the periods 1990-1994 and 1995-1999. The main objectives of the 1995-1999 Action Plan on Tobacco or Health were:

	to develop, implement and strengthen comprehensive national policies and programmes on tobacco control;
	to collect data on tobacco use;
	to support health advocacy, education and information;
	to support implementation of appropriate legislation; and
	to achieve pricing policies that deter tobacco use.

This Regional Action Plan on Tobacco or Health 2000-2004 builds on the previous plans and emphasizes:

	the development and implementation of National Plans of Action;
	support for the development and adoption of an international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;
	targeted and timely health promotion and advocacy initiatives;
	mass media campaigns for quitting tobacco use; and
	improved coordination of tobacco or health (TOH) activities at the Regional and national levels.

Based on the recommendations of the 1998 Regional Working Group on Tobacco or Health (Annex), this document provides a framework for the development of national plans of action to control the tobacco epidemic, and to promote national and regional support for the adoption and implementation of the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

United for a Tobacco-Free Region
United for a Tobacco-Free World

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Last Update:2001/12/27