We should encourage multinational policies that discourage the spread of smoking and tobacco-related diseases among women in countries where smoking prevalence has traditionally been low.
Efforts to disassociate cigarette smoking from progress in achieving gender equity are particularly needed in the developing world.
Because smoking prevalence among men is already high in many developing countries, even women who do not smoke themselves are already at risk from environmental tobacco smoke and because they suffer the losses of male loved ones from tobacco-related diseases.
It is urgent that we spread the word around the world about what we already know about preventing and curbing tobacco use.
A major measure of victory in the global war against smoking would be the arrest of smoking prevalence at its still generally low level among women in developing countries and a reversal of the signs of increases in smoking.
The FCTC is an international legal instrument designed to curb the global spread of tobacco use through specific protocols, currently being negotiated, that cover tobacco pricing, smuggling, advertising, sponsorship, and other activities.
Source: Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General—2001 |
