Needs of LMIC-based tobacco control advocates to counter tobacco industry policy interference: insights from semi-structured interviews

Abstract

IntroductionAdvocacy is vital for advancing tobacco control and there has been considerable investment in this area. While much is known about tobacco industry interference (TII), there is little research on advocates’ efforts in countering TII and what they need to succeed. We sought to examine this and focused on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where adoption and implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) tend to remain slower and weaker.MethodWe interviewed 22 advocates from eight LMICs with recent progress in a tobacco control policy. We explored participants’ experiences in countering TII, including the activities they undertake, challenges they encounter and how their efforts could be enhanced. We used Qualitative Description to analyse transcripts and validated findings through participant feedback.ResultsWe identified four main areas of countering activities: (1) generating and compiling data and evidence, (2) accessing policymakers and restricting industry access, (3) working with media and (4) engaging in a national coalition. Each area was linked to challenges, including (1) lack of data, (2) no/weak implementation of FCTC Article 5.3, (3) industry ties with media professionals and (4) advocates’ limited capacity. To address these challenges, participants suggested initiatives, including access to country-specific data, building advocates’ skills in compiling and using such data in research and monitoring, and in coalition development; others aiming at training journalists to question and investigate TII; and finally, diverse interventions intended to advance a whole-of-government approach to tobacco control. Structural changes to tobacco control funding and coordination were suggested to facilitate the proposed measures.ConclusionThis research highlights that following years of investment in tobacco control in LMICs, there is growing confidence in addressing TII. We identify straightforward initiatives that could strengthen such efforts. This research also underscores that more structural changes to enhance tobacco control capacity building should be considered.

Developing more detailed taxonomies of tobacco industry political activity in low-income and middle-income countries: qualitative evidence from eight countries

“… Sources: WHO Region, 68 income-economy group, 69 information on health warning and comprehensive policies, 70 information on tax increases. 71 For a more detailed table, see 31 …”

“…The interview schedule also explored participants' accounts on countering corporate political activities and what would facilitate these efforts; those data form part of a separate study. 31 We piloted the guide with a tobacco control advocate and researcher who was, as most participants, not an English native speaker. All interviews were conducted in English, recorded with participants’ permission, and subsequently transcribed.…”

“…A better understanding of tobacco industry political activities globally can help strengthen tobacco control and support advocates' efforts to pre-empt and counter industry activities. 31 It can also facilitate comparative studies on the tobacco industry and other unhealthy commodity industries.…”

Seven-year tobacco tax plan in Ukraine: a case study of the actors, tactics and factors motivating policy passage

“…Advocates from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) consistently report efforts to predict and pre-empt tobacco industry activities, and report that detailed information on industry behaviour and how it was countered in other countries is important for informing their own efforts. 19 Unfortunately, few studies have explored how tobacco control policy change comes about, particularly in the context of low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and on the topic of tobacco tax policy. [20][21][22][23][24] Moreover, existing studies on how tobacco control policy is passed at the national level are focused more on tactics used by opponents (eg, lobbying, litigation, protests and other tactics to delay or subvert policy passage) rather than proponents, [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] with few exceptions.…”

“…Advocates from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) consistently report efforts to predict and pre-empt tobacco industry activities, and report that detailed information on industry behaviour and how it was countered in other countries is important for informing their own efforts. 19 …”