Tobacco and Public Health - TCSC Indonesia

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TOBACCO AND WOMEN
(World Bank 1999). The document argues that tobacco control is good for the wealth
as well as the health of nations; that it does not lead to loss of taxes or jobs; and that
tobacco control measures (e.g. price increases, advertising bans, smoke-free areas,
health education, pharmaceutical assistance in quitting) are cost-effective in both
industrialized and developing countries. Men and women are not specifically indexed,
but the findings have relevance to both.
International NGOs
The International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT) was founded in 1990
to address the issues around tobacco and women. It has members in about 60
countries. Other NGOs involved with tobacco maintain a gender awareness, like
the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), the International Union Against
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), the World Heart Federation, the Framework
Convention Alliance and The International Non-Government Coalition Against
Tobacco (INGCAT). They encourage their member organizations to take a public
stand on tobacco, and some fund projects, research, and meetings. GLOBALink,
the internet network based at the UICC Headquarters in Geneva, links tobacco
control advocates all over the world, and has a specific website devoted to tobacco and
women.
International conferences
The tenth World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Beijing in 1997, pioneered
gender equity in World Conferences. Fifty per cent of all committee members, chairs,
and invited speakers were women. When funding was offered to developing countries
for two delegates, it was suggested that one be a female. Each speaker was asked to
incorporate the twin themes of ‘developing countries’ and ‘women’ into his or her
presentation on whatever topic. In 1998 the European Union, through Europe Against
Cancer, organized the first European conference on women and tobacco in Paris.
Regional level
APACT
The Asia Pacific Association for the Control of Tobacco (APACT), first established by
Dr David Yen in Taipei, organizes biennial regional meetings. Delegates from the
poorer countries find the smaller regional meetings more supportive than the large,
international conferences, and it facilitates delegates, especially women, speaking out.
INWAT Europe
The INWAT Europe Development Project was a pilot project funded by the European
Union (Europe Against Cancer) from 1997 to 2002. It aims to contribute to reducing
tobacco use among women in Europe by developing a strong, effective, and sustainable
network which raises awareness about this issue, promoting communication and
exchange of information and support, and developing consensus on a women centred