Author of

• 16489

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  P1.01 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 453)

  • Event: WCLC 2016
  • Type: Poster Presenters Present
  • Track: Epidemiology/Tobacco Control and Cessation/Prevention
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 12/05/2016, 14:30 - 15:45, Hall B (Poster Area)

  • 16513

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    P1.01-024 - University Students' Perceptions about Effectiveness of MPOWER Policies on Tobacco Control in Panama City Panama (ID 5485)

    14:30 - 14:30  |  Author(s): O. El Achtar
    • Abstract

    Background:
    Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death worldwide. To expand the fight against the tobacco epidemic, WHO has introduced the MPOWER package of six proven policies:1.- Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies, 2.- Protect people from tobacco smoke, 3.- Offer help to quit tobacco use 4.-Warn about the dangers of tobacco 5.-Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and 5.-Raise taxes on tobacco. The aim of this study was to evaluate the student´s perception about the effectiveness of each intervention.
    
    Methods:
    Students from public and private universities in Panama city were surveyed. Students were asked to evaluate each policy in a binary answer (less effective or very effective). Chi squared test was used to compare answers between smokers and never smokers
    
    Results:
    302 students answered the questionnaire: 157 females (52%) and 145 males (48%). Median age was 21 years. There were 73 smokers (24.2%) and 229 never smokers (75.8%). Median age of start smoking was 16 years (10-25), median of cigarettes per week was 6 (1-48). There were not discrepancies in effectiveness between the two groups in monitoring tobacco use policies (p=0.31). 56% of never smokers and 28% of smokers considered that protect people from tobacco smoke is very effective (p<0.001). Offer help to quite tobacco is considered very effective in 31% of smokers versus 52% of never smokers (p=0.003). To require effective package warning labels is very effective in 24.6% of smokers and 48% of never smokers (p<0.0001). Implement counter-tobacco advertising is equally effective for half of both groups (p=0.06). To obtain free media coverage of anti-tobacco activities is very effective in 53% of never smokers and 32% of smokers (p= 0.002). To enforce bans on tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship is very effective in 46% of never smokers and 52% of smokers (p=0.34). Increase tax rates for tobacco products and ensure that they are adjusted periodically to keep pace with inflation and rise faster than consumer purchasing power is very effective for 46% of smokers and 57% of never smokers (p=0.09). Strengthen tax administration to reduce the illicit trade in tobacco products did not show difference in effectiveness of both groups (p=0.15).
    
    Conclusion:
    MPOWER policies are useful to prevent smoking. The perception of the effectiveness of each intervention varies according tobacco use.