Issue 1 | December 2010 Faculty of Health Sciences | Center for Research on Population and Health TCRG News Tobacco Control Research Group What is the AUB-TCRG’s position on the proposed law under consideration by the Lebanese Parliamentary Committees since the beginning of 2010? In response to its mandate since ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in February 2005, the Lebanese parliament has been considering a tougher tobacco control law. Progress has been slow and barriers many. In February 2010, during a press conference held at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the AUB-TCRG, in collaboration with Tobacco Free Initiative-Lebanon and INDYACT, issued a position statement on the tobacco control law being discussed. The text of the position statement announced during the press conference reads as follows: The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Tobacco Control Research Group at the American University of Beirut Position Statement: Lebanon cannot afford tobacco industry-supported loopholes in new tobacco control laws: For the past fifty years, multinational tobacco companies have had the freedom to sell and market a dangerous product specifically engineered to be addictive to both adults and children in Lebanon. 3 Supporting advocacy − to move tobacco control policy forward 5 Working with the − media 6 Research Highlights − 7 Regional News − Policy briefs − 8 About AUB TCR − G Contact u − s Inside Designed and produced by the Office of Communications | 2010
Transcript
Issue 1 | December 2010 Faculty of Health Sciences | Center for Research on Population and Health
TCRG News
Tobacco Control Research Group
What is the AUB-TCRG’s position on the proposed law under consideration by the Lebanese Parliamentary Committees since the beginning of 2010?In response to its mandate since ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in February 2005, the Lebanese parliament has been considering a tougher tobacco control law. Progress has been slow and barriers many.
In February 2010, during a press conference held at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the AUB-TCRG, in collaboration with Tobacco Free Initiative-Lebanon and INDYACT, issued a position statement on the tobacco control law being discussed.
The text of the position statement announced during the press conference reads as follows:
The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Tobacco Control Research Group at the American University of Beirut Position Statement:
Lebanon cannot afford tobacco industry-supported loopholes in new tobacco control laws:For the past fifty years, multinational tobacco companies have had the freedom to sell and market a dangerous product specifically engineered to be addictive to both adults and children in Lebanon.
3Supporting advocacy −to move tobacco control policy forward
5Working with the −media
6Research Highlights −
7Regional News −
Policy briefs −
8About AUB TCR − G
Contact u − s
Inside
Des
igne
d an
d pr
oduc
ed b
y th
e O
ffice
of C
omm
unic
atio
ns |
2010
TCRG News Tobacco Control Research Group2
Issue 1 | December 2010
Audience at press conference reflects interest and commitment of many. Among those seated in the front row: Dr. Walid Ammar, DG Ministry of Health, FHS Dean Nuwayhid, MP Ismail Sukkarieh, Dr. George Saade of the NTCP, and Mr. Rami Khoui, IFI
They have also consciously thwarted previous policy attempts to limit the reach of this harmful product. Today we have a historic opportunity to end five decades of the tobacco industry’s free reign over public health policy in Lebanon. The industry should not be allowed to weaken tobacco control policy.
Lebanon ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005 but still has one of the weakest tobacco control policies in the Middle East region and implementation is past due. Experts estimate that in Lebanon 150,000 children and 350,000 adults alive today will die prematurely because of smoking or second-hand smoke unless tobacco control measures are improved.
The FCTC, an international treaty that is based on best evidence, outlines the elements of a strong tobacco control policy. Experience from countries worldwide in implementing FCTC policies has illustrated immediate health gains. This evidence is documented in international public health and medical literature. It is imperative that we use this global knowledge base and the experience of other countries when adopting a Lebanese tobacco control law.
The Parliamentary Committee for Administration and Justice is currently (February 2010) discussing a proposed tobacco control draft law. Adoption of a weak tobacco control law will have devastating health consequences resulting in countless preventable disabilities and deaths in the Lebanese population for years to come.
We consider the following three measures the cornerstone of a sensible and effective tobacco control policy:
A total smoking ban in indoor public places 1. without exemption and without permission for smoking and non-smoking areas.Total comprehensive advertising bans, both 2. direct and indirect (including promotion, branding, sponsorship, etc.)Large 3. pictorial health warnings on tobacco products which occupies at least 40% of the pack’s surface size, on both front and back sides, with rotating messages every six months to avoid wear-out.
Outlined below is an explanation of why these must be adopted and why half-measures should not be allowed.
A total smoking ban in indoor public places without exemption or permission for smoking and non-smoking areas:
It is widely accepted among scientists that second-hand smoke (or environmental tobacco smoke) causes cancer, death and a number of debilitating diseases for non-smokers. The Lebanese population, including children, is exposed to dangerous levels of toxic fumes from second-hand smoke. A recent study on air quality in indoor public places reported that Lebanon was among the top three (out of 32 countries) with the highest concentrations of particulate matter from smoke in the air. Another air monitoring survey on tobacco smoke in indoor public places in Lebanon reported that up to 60% of venues sampled had “hazardous” air pollution levels as per the WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines.
The tobacco industry would like us to believe that separate smoking/non-smoking areas are sufficient to protect workers, children, and non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. However, numerous scientific studies have shown that measures such as ventilation or filtration, and separate smoking and non-smoking areas DO NOT make indoor air safe for children and non-smokers. Only a 100% smoke-free environment offers protection from second hand smoke exposure.
A law that allows for smoking and non-smoking areas is ineffective.
Total comprehensive advertising bans, both direct and indirect (including promotion, branding, etc.):
Partial bans on tobacco advertising will cause the tobacco industry to shift budgets to below the line advertising such as sponsoring of music and sports events which target youth. A convincing body of evidence demonstrates that tobacco advertising plays an important part in encouraging non-smokers to begin smoking, particularly younger people. Comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising and promotion can result in a considerable reduction of tobacco consumption on a national level and thus protect youth from becoming addicted to tobacco.
These bans should be implemented in full as soon as a law is passed. The tobacco industry usually asks for a phasing in order to delay and stall implementation. There is no compelling reason to phase in an advertising ban.
A comprehensive ban on advertising with no schedule for implementation is imperative.
Tobacco Control Research Group TCRG News 3
Large pictorial health warnings of at least 40% size on the two largest surfaces of packaging on all tobacco products with rotating messages every six months to avoid wear out:
Evidence from around the world suggests that large pictorial health warnings are effective ways of informing about the health effects of smoking as well as motivating smokers to quit.
Tobacco companies oppose pictorial warnings because they see them as a threat to their business. Effective large pictorial warnings are one of the least expensive tobacco control policies because the tobacco industry bears the cost.
Large pictorial warnings need to be part of any adopted law.
All the above policies are suggested in a proposed law in Arabic and is available at the Ministry of Health. This draft law is in line with evidence from the FCTC. This is the law that should be discussed and adopted and not any other.
The significant health impact of tobacco use remains under-recognized in Lebanon. Public health policy-making must be disentangled from political patronage, and be more firmly evidence-based. We therefore call for no concessions when it comes to our health and the health of our children for generations to come.
If you or your organization support tobacco control policies, please contact us to sign the position statement above and feel free to circulate it in order to collect additional signatures of advocates and supporters for a strong law in Lebanon.
Since January 2010 the Parliamentary Committee of Administration and Justice has met a number of times to discuss the draft law on tobacco control. Following a number of meetings, a subcommittee was established headed by MP Samir Jisr. The subcommittee met to discuss the draft but no final law has yet been passed. Following the Press Conference, a number of advocacy events were held:
AUB-TCRG members met with Lebanese Parliamentarians. • Over 30 MP’s were visited in their offices. The purpose of the visits was to advocate and seek support for a comprehensive tobacco control policy. A petition to request a strong evidence -based tobacco • control law was developed by TFI, AUB, and IndyAct. The petition was circulated to organizations and individuals. To date, the petition has been signed by over 50 organizations, 15 syndicates and public institutions, and 30 private companies, as well as Heads of Parliamentary blocs and individual Parliamentarians.A press conference was held to launch the report on the • “Economic effect of tobacco in Lebanon” in collaboration with the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI). This meeting was attended by MP Walid Khoury, MP Tammam Salam, and MP Atef Majdalani in addition to a number of ministry representatives and the media. (see page 6 for more information)On the occasion of • World No Tobacco Day 2010, a seminar was organized under the auspices of Mrs. Mona El Hrawe (former First Lady) on the topic of Gender and Tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women. The seminar was supported by over 45 Lebanese NGO’s and attended by over 150 people.
Press conference on the “Economic Effects of Tobacco in Lebanon”
Seminar on “Gender and Tobacco” on the World No Tobacco Day
Supporting advocacy to move tobacco control policy forward
TCRG News Tobacco Control Research Group4
Issue 1 | December 2010
Reception held at AUB for supporting parliamentarians:• Under the patronage and participation of His Excellency Health Minister Jawad Khalifeh, AUB Tobacco Control Research Group in collaboration with the Parliamentary Committee for Public Health, Labor, and Social Affairs, and the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) invited supporting parliamentarians to a reception and social advocacy gathering. The reception served to: highlight to the rest of the MP’s and the public that there is indeed support for a strong law, to expedite discussions in parliamentary committees, and to get commitment from a good number of MP’s to support the strong policy when it reaches the voting stage in the general assembly.Twenty-two Lebanese MPs from various political blocs attended the gathering in addition to AUB faculty members and students, including most notably AUB President Peter Dorman, Provost Ahmad Dallal, and FHS Dean Iman Nuwayhid. President Dorman provided the opening welcome note.MPs were invited to sign a petition in support of the bill. Most of the heads of parliamentary blocs had already signed the petition that was also endorsed by the MPs present at the gathering, which is the first of its kind in the history of tobacco control advocacy in Lebanon.
The discussions in the reception revealed that since early 2010 the law is more and more in line with FCTC articles. This is commendable! We hope that all the points requested in the petition are adopted and endorsed. The event was covered by the media. You can access some through the links below:http://www.aub.edu.lb/news/archive/preview.php?id=113021http://www.lebanonfiles.com/news_desc.php?id=202857http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=122137#
Some of the Parliamentarians’ signatures on the petition
See names of supporting NGO’s
CCC – مركز الرعاية الدائمةAMEL – م�ؤ�س�سة عاملNTCP – البرنامج ال�طني لمكافحة التدخينRene Moawad Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سة رينه مع��ضTFI – جمعية حياة حرة بال تدخينISWA – الهيئة الإ�سالمية للرعايةIndyACT – رابطة النا�سطين الم�ستقلينCWPA – جمعية تقدم المراأة في الجن�بGreen Hand – جمعية اليد الخ�سراء LFPA – جمعية تنظيم الأ�سرة في لبنانJAD – جمعية »جاد« �سبيبة �سد المخدراتAssociation AlTanmia – جمعية التنميةJ.C.D – ال�سبيبة لمكافحة المخدراتHariri Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سة رفيق الحريريIslamic Health Society –الهيئة ال�سحية الإ�سالميةSafadi Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سة ال�سفديAlWaleed Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سة ال�ليد بن طالل الإن�سانيةAzm & Saade Association – جمعية العزم وال�سعادة الإجتماعيةLebanese Council of Women – المجل�ض الن�سائي اللبنانيMakhzoumi Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سة مخزوميوزارة ال�س�ؤون الإجتماعية – المجل�ض الأعلى للطف�لة
NPA – جمعية الم�ساعدات ال�سعبية النروجيةAlMabarrat Association – جمعية المبّرات الخيريةSkoun: Lebanese Addictions Center – �سك�نANERA – جمعية اأنيراRANA – الرابطة الن�سائية الإ�سالميةYMCA – جمعية ال�سبان الم�سيحية في لبنانالمركز ال�سحي العام لدار الفت�ى
YWCA – الجمعية الم�سيحية لل�سابات في لبنانPARD – الم�ساعدات ال�سعبية لالإغاثة والتنميةMAKASSED – جمعية المقا�سد الخيرية الإ�سالمية في لبنانImam AlSadr Foundation – م�ؤ�س�سات الإمام ال�سدرRotary Club of Aley – نادي روتاري عاليRotaract club of Beirut – روتاراآكتAie Serve – اآي �سيرفMontada Al-Ataa – منتدى العطاءجمعية الطف�لة والأم�مة
الإتحاد اللبناني لرعاية الطفل
جمعية ن�ساء بال حدود
Naba’a – جمعية نبعINJAZ – اإنجازم�ؤ�س�سة محمد خالد الإجتماعية
Mouvement Social Libanais – الحركة الإجتماعيةPWHO – جمعية المراأة الخيرية الفل�سطينيةOffre Joie – جمعية فرح العطاء
MP Atef Majdalani addressing the crowd
Tobacco Control Research Group TCRG News 5
years of smoking.In 2008, TFI was awarded 1st prize by the WHO (Geneva), for its
exceptional work achieved in tobacco control in the Middle East. TFI has been a member of the National Commission on
Tobacco Control in Lebanon and the Regional Commission for the Middle East since 2009.
Message from INDYACT
IndyAct believes that what the world needs now, more than any time before, is the concept of “the right individual” rather than “the right organization.” We need “independent activists” that will make positive and effectual change to the world around them by succeeding in their campaigns and inspiring others to do the same. IndyAct is all about empowering individuals in their respective communities, making positive and effectual changes a way of life and the duty of every human. The “independent activist” believes that activism is a necessary value like any other human value. Just as “you shall not steal”, the “independent activist” believes that “you can not be complacent”. IndyAct defines the “independent activist” as a person that:
Takes Action Now1. Is Independent2. Believes In Non-Violence3. Has No Ego4. Is universal5. IndyACT is part of the coalition to ban smoking in public and
closed places in Lebanon, IndyACT believes its campaign does not aim to prevent people from smoking, but to protect the right of non-smokers. The organization considers that it is not fair for any person (either smoker or non-smoker) to be forced to breathe other people’s smoke.
Other Advocacy activities
A • Lebanese Tobacco Control Coalition of NGO‘s was established in early 2010. The coalition organized for World No Tobacco Day in May 2010 at the UNESCO Palace. Most recently, the coalition met with the AUB-TCRG in November 2010 to discuss their strategy for tobacco control policy advocacy and to identify ways that the AUB-TCRG can support their work. On November 7, 2010, participants from different NGOs that • are supportive of tobacco control policies in Lebanon – mainly Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI), ANERA, Rotaryact - participated, as advocates for this cause, in the Beirut Marathon, under the theme of “Run for Tobacco Free Lebanon”.
ANERA youth participating in Beirut Marathon 2010
We used multiple media channels to disseminate our findings on tobacco control research, transmit certain messages regarding our position on the draft tobacco-control law, summarize research updates on the harmful effects of tobacco use, and respond to certain anti-tobacco control related media. These included published articles and press releases, newspapers and magazines interviews, live television shows, radio ads and interviews on a certain tv or radio program. Although we have not yet conducted a comprehensive evaluation of this advocacy strategy, there has been a noticeable increase in coverage of topics related to tobacco control policy advocacy.
Message from the Lebanese National Tobacco Control Program
The National Tobacco Control Program was established in 1997 as a joint program between the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization. Since 2009 this program is sustained (in great part) by “Bloomberg Global Initiative” to counter the increasing prevalence of smoking in Lebanon, and to reduce the burden of tobacco-related diseases, including their impact on human health and economy.
To achieve these objectives, the program is carrying out a holistic approach to a comprehensive strategy by drafting tobacco control policies, creating mass media campaigns to increase awareness on the dangers of second-hand smoke (SHS) and advocating for a strong tobacco control law. The program works by carrying out direct and indirect lobbying with both parliamentarians and stakeholders such as civil society NGOs, journalists, related syndicates and the public at large. The nature of activities ranges from lectures, conferences, and capacity-building workshops to media campaigns and research studies. The program is also partaking in the creation and discussion of the proposed tobacco control law within the parliament.
Georges Saade, MD. FESCCoordinator of the National Tobacco Control Program
Message from the Tobacco Free Initiative
It is with great pleasure and pride that we, as Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI), have been cooperating with the AUB Tobacco Control Research Group for several years now.
Passion and professionalism are the key words that have defined our common projects.
TFI is the only NGO totally dedicated to tobacco prevention in Lebanon. Its cooperation with AUB has been extensive on vital projects, namely lobbying parliamentarians, politicians, and civil society in favor of legislation that should be totally in line with the International Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, in support of the National Commission for Tobacco Control, of which TFI is a member.
TFI’s cooperation with the AUB-TCRG will certainly go beyond the ratification of the law itself, since the main role of NGO’s is to help the various Ministries enforce and implement the law on the ground, especially regarding smoking prohibition in closed public places and awareness among the Lebanese population.
TFI was initiated in May 2000 by the family of Attorney Antoine Kayrouz after his death from lung cancer following long
Working with the media and the Civil Society
TCRG News Tobacco Control Research Group6
Issue 1 | December 2010
A study on the Economics of Tobacco in Lebanon: An Estimation of the Social Costs of Tobacco Consumption.
A study on the Economic Impacts of Tobacco Consumption in Lebanon, sponsored by the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at AUB, showed that cigarette smoking costs Lebanon $326.7 million each year in health-care costs, farming subsidies, environmental damage and tobacco-related worker inefficiency which is equal to around 1.1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
These numbers represent an underestimate of the actual problem, as the calculations do not take into consideration the cost from the diseases resulting from water pipe or narghile smoking and includes the cost of only three types of smoking-related diseases.
The most expensive consequences of smoking are felt by the health system which spends some $146.7 million annually treating three of the most common tobacco-related diseases; lung and bladder cancer, cardiovascular disease and smoking-induced respiratory disease. An additional 24 diseases are directly associated to smoking and are believed to cumulatively account for a quarter of all deaths in Lebanon.
Premature deaths also reduce national productivity as workers die before reaching retirement age, an inconsistency thought to waste some $64.5 million annually in indirect opportunity costs.
Further revenue is lost on account of smoking-related worker inefficiency. Smokers and past smokers are more likely to feel sick and take time off work, and it is thought their absences have cost the economy an average of $102 million per annum over the last five years.
Furthermore, the study shows that on average over the last five years the government spent $51 million in farm subsidies but tobacco exports only brought in some $34 million in revenue.
Lebanon produces relatively low quality tobacco which means it is still largely reliant on expensive international imports and some 40 percent of Lebanese tobacco farmers rely on off-farm jobs as a necessary supplement to their income.
Smoking is also estimated to have a negative economic impact on the environment. Cigarette butts account for 46 percent of all street litter and have been linked directly to an average of three forest fires each year.
Dr. Jad Chaaban and Ms. Nadia Naamani Department of Agricultural SciencesFaculty of Agricultural and Food SciencesDr. Nisreen Salti Department of EconomicsFaculty of Arts and Sciences
Parents’ Knowledge, Behaviors and Attitudes towards narghile Smoking
A cross-sectional national household survey of 1028 representative units was conducted in 2007. Households sampled were proportionally distributed on the 6 Lebanese governorates according to the Lebanese 2004 population distribution provided by the Central Administrative Statistics (CAS). In each governorate, sampling was performed at the Caza level (except for the cities of Beirut and Tripoli) by randomly sampling households from
the center of the Caza and from randomly chosen villages from that Caza.
The mean age of the 1860 parents interviewed was 43.9 with fathers being relatively older (46.4) than mothers (41.4). Fathers (29.8%) were more likely than mothers (16.3%) to have a university degree. The majority of fathers (94.7%) and mothers (79.0%) were currently working and housewives respectively. In general, both fathers (60.0%) and mothers (75.0%) had never smoked narghile. As for cigarette smoking practices, half of the couples (50.1%) claimed that they had never smoked cigarettes. However, fathers were significantly (p<0.001) more likely to be regular smokers than mothers (55% and 26% respectively).
With regard to knowledge about narghile, no significant differences were found between mothers and fathers. However, fathers (97.1%) more than mothers (82.1%), knew that sharing narghile may transmit infectious diseases.
The majority of parents thought that narghile decreases the physical activity (more than 62%). About 57% of mothers and 48% of fathers believed that narghile smoking decreases the concentration.
The majority of mothers claim that they make their anti-smoking attitude clear to their children (87%), warn them about smoking dangers (90%), and support banning selling narghile for minors in public places (92%). Despite the anti-smoking attitude, almost 50% of both parents equally (p=.470) permit people smoking at their places.
In general, there was a linear trend between knowledge and health effects of narghile constituents and narghile smoking status of the respondent. The highest prevalence of correct answers was given by mothers or fathers who had never smoked, followed by those given by ever smokers. The lowest percentages of correct answers were given by current smokers.
Dr. Monique Chaaya and Dr. Ziyad MahfoudDepartment of Epidemiology and Population HealthFaculty of Health Sciences
Research Highlights
Pamphlet developed for parents as a result of this research
Tobacco Control Research Group TCRG News 7
Policy briefs In March 2010, the Center for Research on Population and Health issued a policy brief in English and Arabic based on research funded by IDRC-RITC on evaluating smokefree policies in Lebanon entitled “Time to ban smoking in indoor public places”. The brief reported on a recent qualitative study to evaluate implementation of smoke-free polices in Lebanon. Fifty two interviews and twenty six focus group discussions were conducted in hospitality venues, educational institutions, and workplaces. The brief outlined what we know about barriers and facilitators to existing smoke-free policies in Lebanon.
Link: \\Crphsrv\tobaccoresearch$\AUB Tobacco Control Research Group\Website\Dissemination\Policy Briefs\Arabic\3-81-2 CRPH research brief_final.pdf
In April 2010, IFI published an English and Arabic policy memo based on research conducted by Professor Rima Nakkash (AUB-TCRG, Faculty of Health Sciences, AUB) which clearly illustrates how transnational tobacco companies cripple tobacco control policy-making in Lebanon. The policy memo, which provides step-by-step recommendations for public health professionals, advocacy groups and the Lebanese government on how to alleviate this situation, was disseminated to policy-makers, advocacy groups, health care professionals and the media.
IFI is currently working with AUB-TCRG to produce a series of policy memos related to tobacco research including: the impact of the farming subsidies, and the social costs of tobacco consumption and its effect on the Lebanese economy (AUB-TCRG research sponsored and published by IFI).
From June 28 to July 1, 2010 the AUB-TCRG organized a workshop on ‘FCTC policies and their implementation in Arab Countries’ hosted by the Center for Research on Population and Health of the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB and the Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies (SCTS) in collaboration with Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), and Tobacco Free Kids Campaign.
The workshop objectives were to:Identify the most recent evidence on interventions related to • FCTC guidelinesSpecify main research methods needed for the monitoring • and evaluation of FCTC policiesDiscuss application of FCTC interventions in Arab countries• Share experiences of FCTC implementation• Develop a plan of action for participant countries•
Participants and trainers
Members of the AUB-TCRG travel to Amman
A group of researchers from the King Hussein Cancer Center, the Jordanian University for Science and Technology, Virginia Common Wealth University, University of Pittsburg and the AUB-TCRG met in September 26-28, 2010 to organize and strategize for a future regional collaborative research proposal on narghile control and prevention.
The meeting brought together researchers from the region to identify common research interests and potential areas of collaboration in research, specifically on the narghile. The group also discussed plans for a “state of the science” conference on waterpipe tobacco control research to be held in the Fall of 2012.
TCRG News Tobacco Control Research Group8
Issue 1 | December 2010
Center for Research on Population and Health Faculty of Health SciencesAmerican University of Beirut PO Box 11-0236Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020LebanonTel: +961 1 347444 ext. 4660 Fax: + 961 1 744470
AUB TCRG Coordinator:Rima Nakkash, DrPHAssistant Professor of ResearchDepartment of Health Promotion and Community HealthCenter for Research on Population and HealthFaculty of Health SciencesAmerican University of Beirut Beirut, LebanonTel: +961 1 347444 ext. 4667 / Fax : + 961 1 744470
Mission
The Mission of AUB TCRG is to promote public health by producing and disseminating evidence based tobacco control research.
Objectives
At international level:Generate new knowledge in multiple fields related to tobacco • use and control
At the regional level:Share research findings and successes in tobacco control • across countriesFacilitate networking and communication among tobacco • control researchers and civil society in the regionSupport research collaborations •
At the national level:Disseminate research findings in a user-friendly way to the • publicTransfer evidence of best practices in tobacco control • legislation to policy and decision makersBuild the capacity of civil society to implement and evaluate • interventions in promoting tobacco control Advocate for the implementation of strong tobacco control • policies in Lebanon
Affiliations / Faculties
Center for Research on Population and Health • Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Department of Epidemiology and Population Health Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine • Department of Internal Medicine School of Nursing Faculty of MedicineAerosol Research Laboratory • Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and ArchitectureDepartment of Chemistry • Department of Economics Faculty of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Agricultural Sciences • Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy • & International Affairs
Announcements & upcoming events
World No Tobacco Day 2011 • Upcoming policy brief •
