Learning Objectives: Describe effective tobacco control programs from other countries Identify weaknesses in US tobacco control efforts Compare the progress of tobacco regulation in Canada, South Africa, Brazil, the European Union and the United States
Abstract: The United States was once the world leader in tobacco control. It had pioneered the science and the research to label tobacco use a deadly addictive habit. It had produced a series of Surgeon General’s reports detailing the science. Its federal and state agencies had implemented many novel tobacco control measures, such as youth prevention, second hand smoke restrictions, and documented their success. But now it lags behind the rest of the world in tobacco control. Canada and Brazil have full color picture and graphic health warning labels on all tobacco packages that shock and educate. The European Union and Brazil have banned the use of deceptive terms such as “low tar” and “light,” terms that mislead consumers to believe that one product is less hazardous than another. And Thailand and South Africa have sweeping and all-inclusive advertising bans. What happened to the US commitment to tobacco control at home and is this lack of commitment guiding the US response to the negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Tobacco control advocates from Canada, South Africa and the United States will discuss the current state of tobacco control activity around the world and contrast that with US policy.
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