Legislative Action to combat the World Tobacco Epidemic

Every year, some three million people die as a result of the harmful effects to tobacco use, and this figure is likely to increase as more and more young people take up smoking. Faced with the persistence of the tobacco epidemic, governments are increasingly turning to legislation as part of their campaign to reduce the morbidity and mortality from tobacco-related diseases. When the first edition of this book was published in 1982, 57 countries or territories had some type of legislation to control tobacco use. That figure is now over 90, and many of the recently enacted statutes are stronger and more effective than earlier laws. This review describes the experiences of various countries with different types of legislation, explains why certain measures have been adopted, and shows how they relate to other tobacco control strategies. A special chapter, written by Richard A. Dynard, outlines the attempt, through litigation, to obtain compensation from the tobacco companies for tobacco-induced diseases. Other chapters deal with the particular challenges facing developing countries and with approaches to implementing an overall policy on tobacco control. The author stresses throughout that, if the tobacco epidemic is to be halted, effective legislation is essential, reflecting the commitment of policy-makers, providing leverage and support for a comprehensive control programme, and setting the stage for the transition to a smoke-free society.