| Sub-title | |
| Author | Dr. M R Sammut MD, MSc |
| Abstract | Introduction: In Malta, individual smokers, doctors and the adult general public are recognising the ill effects of smoking, and are seeking to do something about it. This is however not the case with adolescents, where smoking in 1998 remained at the same level it had been eight years previously. There is an evident need for a health promotion initiative on smoking to accelerate the reduction in smoking among adults and, more importantly, to trigger off a similar reduction among adolescents, with a consequent protection against disease and death. Method: Local initiatives against smoking were compared to the WHO - World Health Organisation's Ten-Point Programme for Successful Tobacco Control, to a WHO model law for comprehensive tobacco control, and to European Union directives and resolutions. Results: While procedures involving health education, smoking cessation, professionals' smoke-free example, and fiscal policies are all being implemented, Maltese tobacco control laws and regulations are still deficient. Conclusion: A health promotion strategy of tightening tobacco control legislation needs to be introduced in Malta forthwith. This includes strict enforcement, more severe penalties, banning of sales to adolescents and in places frequented by them, the prohibition of smoking in enclosed public places, a total ban on advertising and sponsorship, and the introduction of maximum tar-yield levels and conspicuous and effective health warnings on all tobacco products. An overall priority is the setting-up of a coordinating tobacco control authority to effectively manage all efforts to stem the tobacco epidemic. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | The Family Physician |
| Volume | 22 |
| Page | 7 |
| Date | 01/01/2002 |
| Key words | health promotion, legislation, smoking, smoking cessation, tobacco control |