Tracking MPOWER in 14 countries: results from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2008–2010

Abstract

Abstract:Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) MPOWER is a technical package of six tobacco control measures that assist countries in meeting their obligations of the WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Control and are proven to reduce tobacco use. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) systematically monitors adult tobacco use and tracks key tobacco control indicators. Methods: GATS is a nationally representative household survey of adults aged 15 and older, using a standard and consistent protocol across countries; it includes information on the six WHO MPOWER measures. GATS Phase I was conducted from 2008-2010 in 14 high-burden low-and middle-income countries. We selected one key indicator from each of the six MPOWER measures and compared results across 14 countries. Results: Current tobacco use prevalence rates ranged from 16.1% in Mexico to 43.3% in Bangladesh. We found that the highest rate of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace was in China (63.3%). We found the highest 'smoking quit attempt' rates in the past 12 months among cigarette smokers in Viet Nam (55.3%) and the lowest rate was in the Russian Federation (32.1%). In five of the 14 countries, more than one-half of current smokers in those 5 countries said they thought of quitting because of health warning labels on cigarette packages. The Philippines (74.3%) and the Russian Federation (68.0%) had the highest percentages of respondents noticing any cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Manufactured cigarette affordability ranged from 0.6% in Russia to 8.0% in India. Conclusions: Monitoring tobacco use and tobacco control policy achievements is crucial to managing and implementing measures to reverse the epidemic. GATS provides internationally-comparable data that systematically monitors and tracks the progress of the other five MPOWER measures.

Prevalence and determinants of current and secondhand smoking in Greece: results from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) study

“…A slightly higher (39.3%) smoking prevalence has been found in the Russian Federation (GATS 2009) 1819 Among the European Union countries that released GATS results, Poland (30.5%) and Romania (26.7%) had considerably lower smoking rates compared with Greece 18–20. In addition, results from GATS from two South Eastern Mediterranean Region countries, Egypt (19.7%) and Turkey (GATS 2012; 27.1%),18–20 also showed lower smoking rates.…”

“…19 Among the European Union countries that released GATS results, Poland (30.5%) and Romania (26.7%) had considerably lower smoking rates compared with Greece 18–20. In addition, results from GATS from two South Eastern Mediterranean Region countries, Egypt (19.7%) and Turkey (GATS 2012; 27.1%),18–20 also showed lower smoking rates. Regarding determinants of current smoking, our results showed that sex was a strong independent determinant of current smoking.…”

“…The limitations of our study are mainly related to the self-reported nature of the data collected. Self-reported data may lead to underestimation of smoking prevalence 18. Another limitation is related to the cross-sectional design of the GATS 26–27.…”

Cardiovascular Health Promotion in Children: Challenges and Opportunities for 2020 and Beyond: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…The myriad health effects associated with smoking may call for the implementation of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control mPOWER initiative in communities across America. 120 …”

Supporting the urban poor to quit tobacco: adding years to lives

“…However, tobacco being an addictive substance, most users struggle to quit and many only do so with behavioural and/or pharmacological support 6. According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey, more than 30% of smokers in LMICs attempted to quit in the previous year (15% in China) 7. However, in most countries in particular LMICs, cessation advice or services are not available 8.…”