03 Aug 2023 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023”. The topic “WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023” has relevance in the “Science and Technology” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
For Prelims:
What is the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2023?
What is WHO and its structure, mandate?
For Mains:
GS2: International Agencies, their mandate and structure
GS3: Awareness in the field of Health
Why in the news?
- The WHO released a report titled- “WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023: protect people from tobacco smoke” highlighting global tobacco control efforts and their impact on reducing smoking rates.
MPOWER
- A decade and a half ago, the WHO formulated the MPOWER measures.
- Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies
- Protect people from tobacco smoke
- Offer help to quit tobacco
- Warn about dangers of tobacco
- Enforce bans on tobacco advertising
- Raise taxes on tobacco products
- The report evaluates how these measures have been put into practice.
Global Implementation of MPOWER Measures:
- Global Smoking Decline: Worldwide, smoking prevalence declined from 22.8% in 2007 to 17% in 2021, with 300 million fewer smokers.
- Protection: 71% of the world’s population (5.6 billion people) are protected by at least one MPOWER measure, up from 5% in 2008.
- Increase in Implementing Countries: The number of countries implementing at least one MPOWER measure increased from 44 in 2008 to 151 in 2022.
- Comprehensive Implementation: Brazil, Turkiye, Netherlands, and Mauritius implemented all MPOWER measures.
Call for Comprehensive Measures:
- WHO’s Urgent Call: WHO urges countries to adopt all MPOWER measures to combat the tobacco epidemic and counter tobacco and nicotine industries’ influence.
Focus on Second-Hand Smoke:
- Smoke-Free Spaces: Nearly 40% of countries have smoke-free indoor public spaces to reduce second-hand smoke exposure.
- Health Impact: Second-hand smoke linked to 1.3 million non-smoker deaths annually, causing heart disease, respiratory diseases, strokes, and diabetes.
Challenges and Gaps:
- Implementation Gaps: At least 44 countries do not implement any MPOWER measures, and only half have smoke-free workplaces and restaurants.
- Inadequate Smoking Bans: 53 countries lack complete bans on smoking in healthcare facilities.
- E-cigarette Dangers: WHO highlights aggressive promotion of e-cigarettes as harmful, targeting youth and non-smokers.
India’s Progress:
- Health Warning Labels: India excels with 85% of cigarette packs featuring prominent health warnings.
- E-cigarette Ban: India banned e-cigarette sales and smoking in healthcare and educational settings.
- Room for Improvement: Amendments needed in 20-year-old tobacco control legislation, including banning loose cigarette sales.
- Bengaluru’s Success: Bengaluru achieved a 27% reduction in smoking in public places through enforcement drives, ‘No Smoking’ signs, and awareness campaigns.
Expert Insights and Recommendations:
- Warning on OTT Content: Proposed implementation of warnings on tobacco use in content on online platforms, especially important given increased OTT viewership.
- Strengthening Existing Laws: Calls for banning loose cigarette sales and ensuring warnings reach all segments, including students.
About World Health Organization (WHO)
Inception and Founding:
- In April 1945, a global gathering in San Francisco marked the establishment of the United Nations.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) was officially formed three years later, on April 7, 1948, upon the activation of its constitution.
- The constitution declares health as a fundamental human right, accessible to all regardless of background.
WHO’s Mandate and Structure:
- WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, tasked with coordinating international health matters.
- Established in 1948, its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It boasts 194 Member States, operating through six regional offices and 150 country offices.
- WHO collaborates primarily with member states via their Ministries of Health.
Other Reports by WHO:
- World Health Statistics
- World Tuberculosis Report
- Ambient Air pollution Report
Successes of WHO
- Eradication of smallpox:
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- In 1980, the WHO achieved a major success by officially eliminating a long-standing and deadly infectious disease that was common for centuries, contributing to global well-being.
- Health as a human right:
- According to the COnstitution of WHO, “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”.
Necessity for WHO Reforms
- Enforcement Limitations: The authority to enforce its recommendations is currently beyond the scope of WHO.
- Deficient Information Exchange: The protracted delay and China’s hesitance to promptly and transparently share crucial information about the novel coronavirus, including the outbreak in Wuhan.
- Absence of Consequences: Member states currently do not bear consequences for non-adherence, a paradigm that must evolve to ensure meaningful safeguards against future disease outbreaks.
- Insufficient Funding: The essential foundation for bolstering the WHO necessitates an initial step towards augmented compulsory funding from member states.
- Enhancing Authority: It is imperative to empower the agency further, enabling it to enforce compliance with standards among member states and to promptly notify WHO in instances of disease outbreaks with potential global repercussions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) shall envision a forward trajectory marked by enhancing global solidarity to bolster health security, fostering comprehensive health advancement across all levels and partnering globally to fortify health systems for effective response, addressing persistent health inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It should focus on assuming a pivotal role in guiding science and data advancements to enhance worldwide health, reinvigorating endeavors to combat communicable diseases alongside partners, and embracing a transformative approach that addresses climate change, health, air pollution reduction, and improved air quality for a resilient future.
Sources:
WHO report on tobacco control: Key findings, how India fares | Explained News – The Indian Express
Yojna daily current affairs eng med 3rd August 2023
Q1. With reference to WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023, consider the following statements:
- The MPOWER measures were formulated by the WHO to address global tobacco control efforts.
- The global smoking prevalence increased from 22.8% in 2007 to 17% in 2021.
- Brazil, Turkiye, Netherlands, India, and Mauritius have implemented all MPOWER measures.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Q2. Consider the following:
- New Health Index
- World Health Statistics
- Performance of Health Outcome Index
- World Tuberculosis Report
- Ambient Air pollution Report
- Universal Health Coverage Index
How many of the above mentioned reports/indices are published by WHO?
(a) Only Two
(b) Only Three
(c) Only Five
(d) All Six
Answer: (b)
Q3. Discuss the Evolution, Achievements, and Reform Imperatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Promoting Global Health and Addressing Contemporary Public Health Challenges.
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