American Cancer Society and International Union Against Cancer Publish Tobacco Control Strategy Guides

American Cancer Society
Thursday, 31 July 2003

Enables Citizens to Ensure World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention Treaty Is Effectively Implemented and Enforced

John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., president of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, and Yussuf Saloojee, Ph.D., tobacco control strategic leader for the UICC, today announced the publication of a new series of guides for tobacco control advocates entitled Tobacco Control Strategy Planning.
The first two guides in the American Cancer Society/UICC series are basic tools designed for tobacco control advocates whose countries are in the early stages of tobacco control. In addition, both guides provide Internet links to authoritative and useful publications, fact sheets, tested arguments, background papers, and other online resources and links essential to advocacy planning. Jointly issued by the American Cancer Society and UICC, the series will also be available electronically through GLOBALink, UICC's Internet communication hub (www.globalink.org).

The first guide, Strategy Planning for Tobacco Control Advocacy takes non-governmental organization planners through the process of developing long- and short-term national strategic plans with an emphasis on media advocacy. The second guide, Strategy Planning for Tobacco Control Movement Building, helps planners identify the kinds of people and allied organizations that can be the most helpful to them in putting together and implementing national plans. This guide includes methods for recruiting allies, tips for organizing effective alliances, leadership requirements for effective national tobacco control movements, and critical lessons in movement leadership.

"During the 40-year global struggle to force governments to respond adequately to the unparalleled public health consequences of tobacco use, extraordinary citizen leaders emerged, developing advocacy skills and strategies to overcome tobacco-industry resistance and government inertia," said Dr. Seffrin. "They have won the enactment and enforcement of comprehensive tobacco control policies that science tells us will halt the spread of the tobacco pandemic, and these guides capture that experience and learning."

The Tobacco Control Strategy Planning series also includes two specialized strategy-planning guides. The first, Engaging Doctors in Tobacco Control, responds to the concern of tobacco control advocates that far too few doctors – who should be among the leaders of every tobacco control movement – are actively engaged in tobacco control. And, Strategy Planning for Building Public Awareness of Passive Smoking's Hazards responds to the evidence in many countries of little or no public awareness of the serious, proven health hazards of passive smoking. This lack of awareness severely hampers advocates who try to persuade governments to decree or enforce smoke-free public places or work sites.

"This is a moment in tobacco control history of unique promise and possibility," said Dr. Saloojee. "The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has now set the stage for a leap forward in comprehensive tobacco control laws and regulations in every country."

The UICC is the only global cancer organization with members and activities covering all aspects of cancer control. Founded in 1933, the UICC is an independent, international, non-governmental association of 291 member cancer-fighting organizations in 87 countries. For more information, visit www.uicc.org.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org