MPOWER, needs and challenges: trends in the implementation of the WHO FCTC in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Self Cite

Background: In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a package of measures including 6 main policies (MPOWER) to control tobacco use. Aims: This study aimed to perform a quantitative analysis of MPOWER in the WHO regions. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected information in summer 2018 using pages 136-149 of the 2017 MPOWER report and a validated check list with 10 criteria, with a possible maximum score of 37. The scores were summed and presented in descending order for the 6 WHO regions. Results: The highest mean score was recorded by the European Region (26.41), followed by: SouthEast Asia Region (25), Western Pacific Region (24.88), Region of the Americas (22.05), Eastern Mediterranean Region (21.40) and African Region (17.40). There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the means. Conclusions: Although many efforts have been made in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, many challenges to policy implementation and enforcement remain compared with other regions, and require urgent action by governments in the Region.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Quantitative comparison of WHO tobacco control measures: lessons from the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Heydari

2020

Self Cite

“…Despite these improvements in both demandreduction policy measures and monitoring, the EMR is the only WHO region for which smoking prevalence was projected to increase by 2025 in the 2018 trend report (9). Several issues can be identified to explain this (13).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The status of tobacco control in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress in the implementation of the MPOWER measures

El-Awa

Bettcher

Al-Lawati

et al. 2020

This review examines the current status of implementation of the MPOWER measures in the countries of the Region and the resulting regional population coverage for these measures. It considers how policies have changed in EMR Member States over time and considers these results in relation to tobacco trend reports published in 2015 and 2018. Methods Data for MPOWER achievement at the country level were taken from the relevant published editions of the biennial WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic (hereafter, the Report). It was first published in 2008 and most recently in 2019. Each Report publishes data from the previous year. For the 2019 Report (5), data on the implementation of the MPOWER measures were correct as of 31 December 2018 (with two exceptions: taxation (31 July 2018) and mass-media campaigns (30 June 2018). Regional population coverage figures were calculated with an exactly similar method to the global coverage figures presented in the 2019 Report (6). 2018 population

“…The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) consists of 22 high, middle and low-income countries/ territories (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen). In this Region smoking prevalence is high, especially among males (36.8%) (6)(7)(8). Globally smoking rates are falling and projected to continue to decline, but unlike all other WHO regions, smoking rates in the EMR are currently estimated to increase (2,9).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smoking cessation services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: highlights and ﬁndings from the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019

AlMulla

Hassan-Yassoub

et al. 2020

The report aimed to review and assess the status of tobacco cessation services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Nearly 70% of people in the Region have legal access to nicotine-replacement therapy but for 77% of these people the costs of the treatment are not covered. Bupropion and Varenicline are legally available in 10 and 11 EMR countries respectively. Just under 50% of people in the Region have access to at least some cessation support in primary health care facilities. Around 32% of people have access to a national toll-free quit line. Costs for cessation services are fully covered in few EMR countries; however, cessation services in the Region must be improved. Member States should aim to increase the availability of, and financial support for, cessation treatments and support, which should be prioritized in primary health care facilities.