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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesOutbreak NewsPublic HealthResearch & Publication

Public Health Standards: SMS [Social Distancing, Mask Use and Sanitize]

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Public Health Standards : SMS [Social Distancing, Mask Use and Sanitize]

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Life Style & Public Health NutritionPH Important DayPublic Health

World Food Safety Day 2020

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

World Food Safety Day 2020

On 20 December 2018 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 73/250 proclaiming a World Food Safety Day. Starting in 2019, every 7 June is celebrated as a World Food Safety Day. This year, on the second observance of World Food Safety Day (7 June 2020).

COVID-19 and Health Facts: Immunity boosting foods and right eating pattern

This year World Food Safety Day is promoting awareness and urging action by highlighting what everyone can do to ensure food safety. Whether you grow, process, transport, store, distribute, sell, prepare, serve or consume food, you have a role to play in keeping it safe.

The second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

 

 

Calls to action

  1. Ensure it’s safe – Governments must ensure safe and nutritious food for all: National governments are critical in guaranteeing that we all can eat safe and nutritious food. Policy makers can promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration among public health, animal health, agriculture and other sectors. Food safety authorities can manage food safety risks along the entire food chain, including during emergencies. Countries can comply with international standards established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
  2. Grow it safe – Agriculture and food producers need to adopt good practices: Farming practices must ensure a sufficient supply of safe food at a global level today while at the same time mitigating climate change and minimizing future environmental impacts. As food production systems transform to adapt to changing conditions, farmers must carefully consider optimal ways to address potential risks to ensure that food is safe.
  3. Keep it safe – Business operators must make sure food is safe: Preventive controls can address most food safety problems. Everyone involved in food operations – from processing to retail – must ensure compliance with programmes like HACCP, a system that identifies, evaluates and controls hazards which are significant for food safety from primary production to final consumption. Additionally, good processing, storage and preservation help retain nutritional value and food safety as well as reduce post-harvest losses.
  4. Eat it safe – All consumers have a right to safe, healthy and nutritious food: Consumers have the power to drive change. They need to be empowered to make healthy food choices for themselves and support sustainable food systems for the planet. Given the complexity of food safety, consumers need access to timely, clear and reliable information about the nutritional and disease risks associated with their food choices. Unsafe food and unhealthy dietary choices swell the global burden of disease.
  5. Team up for safety – Food safety is a shared responsibility: The diverse group that share responsibility for food safety – governments, regional economic bodies, UN organizations, development agencies, trade organizations, consumer and producer groups, academic and research institutions and private sector entities – must work together on issues that affect us all, globally, regionally and locally. Collaboration is needed at many levels – across sectors within a government and across borders.

SOURCE OF INFO: FAO

World Food Day 2019! Our actions are our future

The first UN World Food Safety Day: Food safety is everyone’s business

WHO plan to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from global food supply

Global Food and Security Strategy launched in Nepal

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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesPH Important DayPublic Health UpdateResearch & Publication

National Testing Guidelines for COVID-19

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

National Testing Guidelines for COVID-19

Essential readings

Objectives

  •  To standardize laboratory testing criteria for SARS-CoV-2 in Nepal
  • To facilitate and ensure common understanding on COVID-19 laboratory testing throughout the country
  • To ensure rational use of the laboratory resources in order to contain COVID-19 spread

Recommended: NATIONAL PLAN, POLICY & GUIDELINES Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal Department of Health Services (DoHS), Ministry of Health and Population Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA)

Priorities for COVID-19 testing

Priority 1: Ensure early detection, isolation, and prevention of the spread
  • All suspected cases with high risk of infection (e.g. highly mobile population, returnees from other countries or high transmission areas)
  • Contacts of the confirmed cases
Priority 2: Ensure optimal care at health facilities, lessen the risk of healthcare-associated infections, and maintain the integrity of the healthcare system
  • Frontline health care workers (e.g. doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel, paramedics) and support staffs (e.g. ambulance driver, health facility support staffs)
  • Staffs working in critical functions (e.g. security force, waste care management workers)
  • Patients requiring urgent medical and surgical attention with high suspicion of COVID-19
  • Patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes (e.g. people with underlying chronic conditions; elderly) with high suspicion of COVID-19
Priority 3: Ensure containment in the community spread as well as health of essential workers
  • Individuals in the surrounding community of rapidly increasing cases
  • Individuals who have symptoms, but do not meet any of the above categories
Non-Priority:
  • Individuals without symptoms AND no contact AND no travel history
  • Individuals with interest in self recommended testing

Testing Methods

  • RT-PCR will be used for diagnostic purpose.
  • All serology tests including the Rapid tests can be used for surveillance and/or research purpose and for screening purpose during discharge from the quarantine.
Criteria For Testing
1. Test the following cases using RT-PCR as follows: a. All suspected cases of COVID-191*: i. A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and cough OR fever and shortness of breath), AND those coming from COVID-19 transmission areas during the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. ii. A patient with any acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) AND having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. iii. A patient with severe acute respiratory illness-SARI (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath, AND requiring hospitalization). b. All other cases with following criteria: i. A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) AND new loss of smell OR taste. ii. A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) AND any two of these (chills, muscle pain, diarrhea, sore throat). iii. A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) in the absence of an alternative diagnosis that fully explains the clinical presentation. iv. Any person having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. v. A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) with underlying chronic conditions, immunocompromised conditions, as well as elderly patients. 2. Test the following medical and surgical cases using RT-PCR: a. For life and limb-threatening conditions, do not delay the surgery/procedure, even for patients that meet the criteria outlined under 1a or 1b above. Proceed with appropriate COVID-precautions without waiting COVID-19 tests/results. Do not delay the procedure in order to take a swab. Take a swab – if indicated – either before or after the procedure, as appropriate. b. For elective cases, conduct the test only if there is clear indication (i.e. meeting the criteria stipulated under 1a or 1b above). If negative proceed with surgery/procedure. c. For medical conditions requiring admission including dialysis, test only those meeting the criteria stipulated under (1) and (2) above) coming from COVID-19 high transmission areas. d. Children under 18 years test those with fever (>3 days) AND two of the following: (i) rash, non-purulent conjunctivitis or muco-cutaneous inflammation; (ii) hypotension or shock; (iii) new cardiac abnormalities; (iv) new bleeding disorder; and (v) diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain. 3. Test following Health Care Workers and Support Staff using RT-PCR: a. All asymptomatic frontline healthcare workers and support staff including ambulance driver, laundry cleaners, those involved in caring and transferring of probable or confirmed COVID-19 patients, AND with history of accidental breach of infection prevention and control measures (PPE), test between 5-7 days of such incident/last exposure (Note: the incident must be properly documented). b. All healthcare workers and support staff working in COVID and Non-COVID health facilities having symptoms (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath). c. All frontline healthcare workers and support staff those involved in caring and transferring of probable or confirmed COVID-19 patients test as per need. 4. Test all frontline staff other than healthcare workers (Security force, waste care management workers) having symptoms (fever and cough or fever and shortness of breath) with RT-PCR. 5. People in holding center and quarantine: a. For all symptomatic cases, test RT-PCR.If negative, rule out other cause of illnesses and treat accordingly. b. For those asymptomatic in quarantine, keep in and release from quarantine as per the quarantine guidelines – no tests required तर हाललाई क्वारेन्टिनमा रहेका व्यक्तिहरुको १४ दिन पछि आर.डी,टि. परिक्षण गरिने । 6. Confirmed cases in isolation: a. For asymptomatic cases who have completed 14 days – no tests required. b. For symptomatic cases who have completed 14 days AND spent at least 3 days without symptoms – no tests required.
Annex I: Definitions of Key Terminologies
  • Confirmed Case: A person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.
  • Probable Case: A suspect case for whom testing for the COVID-19 virus is inconclusive. OR A suspect case for whom testing could not be performed for any reason.
  • Contact*: – Face-to-face contact with a probable or confirmed case within 1 meter and for more than 15 minutes; – Direct physical contact with a probable or confirmed case; OR – Direct care for a patient with probable or confirmed COVID-19 disease without using proper personal protective equipment.
*- World Health Organization. (2020). Global surveillance for COVID-19 caused by human infection with COVID-19 virus:interim guidance, 20 March 2020. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331506.

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Recommended: NATIONAL PLAN, POLICY & GUIDELINES Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal Department of Health Services (DoHS), Ministry of Health and Population Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA)

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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesOutbreak NewsResearch & Publication

Infectious Disease Act Nepal, 2020(1964)

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Infectious Disease Act Nepal, 2020(1964)

Date of Authentication and Publication 2020.11.16 (28 February 1964)

Infectious Disease Act, 2020(1964)

Infectious Disease Act, 2020(1964)

disease 2 disease 3

Preamble:
Whereas, it is expedient to make provisions for the root out or prevention of any infectious disease which spreads or is likely to spread throughout the Nepal or any part
thereof so that such disease cannot reach to its climax; Now, therefore, His Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has, on the
advice and with the consent of the National Panchayat, enacted this Act.
1. Short title, extent and commencement:
(1) This Act may be called as the “Infectious Disease Act, 2020 (1964)”.
(2) It shall extend to the all over the Nepal.
(3) It shall come into force immediately.
Powers to make special provisions: (1) Where any infectious disease develops or spreads or is likely to spread on the ? …………. human beings throughout the Nepal or any part thereof, Government of Nepal may take necessary action to root out or prevent that disease and may issue necessary orders applicable to the general
public or a group of any persons.
(2) Government of Nepal may designate any official and confer necessary powers to such official to make necessary arrangements in order to root out or
prevent any infectious disease that has been developed or spread or is likely to spread on the ? ……………human beings.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1) or (2), Government of Nepal may issue necessary orders for the purpose of conducting
examination of any animals, birds being transported on foot or by any means of  conveyance or of any passengers and holding any
? ………….passengers by the official designated for examination in quarantine in hospitals or other places where the official is doubtful that such ? …………..passengers have developed any infectious disease or of inspecting or controlling the transportation or movement by any means.

3. Punishment:

(1) A person who violates this Act or disregards any order issued under this Act shall be liable to punishment of imprisonment for a term not exceeding One month or a fine not exceeding One Hundred Rupees or with both.
(2) A person who obstructs a person authorized under this Act with the performance of his/her duties shall be liable to punishment of imprisonment for a
term not exceeding Six months or a fine not exceeding Six Hundred Rupees or with both.

4. Powers to try and settle cases: The Chief District Officer ? shall have  powers to try and settle cases on offenses committed under this Act.

5. Saving of act done in good faith: Where a person authorized under this Act carries out an act in good faith in the course of performing any of his/her duties,
no lawsuit or any other legal action may be instituted or taken against such person.

Public Health Service Act 2075

Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act 2075

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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesResearch & Publication

The Public Health Service Act, 2075 (2018)

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written by Public Health Update

The Public Health Service Act, 2075 (2018)

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Preamble: Whereas, it is expedient to make necessary legal provisions for implementing the right to get free basic health service and emergency health service guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal and establishing access of the citizens to health service by making it regular, effective, qualitative and easily available, Now, therefore, be it enacted by the Federal Parliament.

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Health Contents – Constitution of Nepal

Declaration of 4th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal

World leaders commit to bold targets and urgent action to end TB

The House of Representatives approved the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Bills, 2075 on August 15, 2018.

Infectious Disease Act Nepal, 2020(1964)

NATIONAL PLAN, POLICY & GUIDELINES
Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal
Department of Health Services (DoHS), Ministry of Health and Population
Department of Drug Administration (DDA), Ministry of Health and Population
Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA)

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Guest PostMaternal, Newborn and Child HealthOutbreak NewsPublic HealthResearch & Publication

COVID-19 and Maternal Health: Tips for Pregnant Women need to do during Lockdown

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

COVID-19 and Maternal Health: Tips for Pregnant Women need to do during Lockdown

Jagat Prasad Upadhyay

“Corona” is the most frequently used word in the world nowadays. The number of corona cases are decreasing in worldwide but increasing day by day in Nepal (Currently 2300 cases, 9 deaths). The most effective way to break the chain of infection is to continue lockdown in the country. The Nepal government has decided to extend the lockdown till Jestha 32 to reduce the transmission of disease in the country. On the contrary, the lockdown may bring or have brought many problems in each sector. It will have an extreme effect on the maternal health

Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period (WHO). Each stage should be a positive experience, ensuring women and their babies reach their full potential for health and well-being. 

According to the Kathmandu post (news published) on 27 May, 2020 “at least 24 women have died due to birth related complications in the last two months, according to Family Welfare Division of Department of Health Services. This is an almost 200 percent increase in maternal mortality rate since the lockdown was enforced on Chaitra 11, 2076. A total of 80 women died from birth complications in the last fiscal year.”

Before the pandemic, only 53 per cent of births in Nepal were attended by skilled health personnel, meaning many women faced serious risks if complications arose during childbirth. But today, women are facing even more barriers to accessing maternal health care, including movement restrictions, transport challenges and anxiety over possibly being exposed to the virus.

Only very few pregnant women are visiting health facilities for consultation. Due to the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, maternity services have been obstructed throughout the country, putting the lives of pregnant women at a great risk.

The institutional delivery rate, which was already low at around 55 percent, has declined further. A complete halt to public transportation has meant that more women are compelled to give birth at home. Numerous health facilities have also stopped providing services due to fears of Covid-19 transmission.

Apart from institutional delivery, antenatal and postnatal services have been hampered by the ongoing lockdown. Pregnant women are unable to reach the health facilities to examine their pregnancies. They are also deprived of iron supplement tablets and tetanus toxoid vaccines, which are to be taken during pregnancies.

According to the Nepal Demographic Health Survey-2016, 239 women per 100,000 live births die during or after childbirth. The country has committed to reducing the maternal mortality rate to 125 per 100,000 births by 2020, which seems impossible in the present context.

Nepal reduced the maternal mortality rate from 539 in 1996 to 239 in 2016 for which the country received the Millennium Development Goal award. The country has to reduce maternal mortality rate to 75 for every 100,000 births by 2030 to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals target.”

Health Ministry needs to ensure that pregnant women and those with serious medical issues have easy access to transportation if more deaths are to be prevented during the lockdown. More people could die of other ailments when government are focused on Covid-19. The government needs to direct all agencies, including the police and the army, to provide emergency transportation to the emergency case.

Here Are Some Tips For Pregnant Women Need To Do During Lockdown

  • Nutrition is a key factor for both pregnant women & babies considering the diet of a pregnant woman.
  • Fruits & Vegetables: Whichever fruits and vegs they like to eat should be taken on a daily basis
  • Milk & milk products are an important part of the pregnancy diet
  • Food items that are rich in protein like fish, chicken, egg, soybean, pulses are highly recommended for a pregnant woman
  • Have some dry fruits like almond, walnut etc.
  • Beside Nutrition, the other important thing is staying at home.it is important to maintain hand, face and respiratory hygiene & ensure social distancing.
  • If you are undergoing through 1st and 3rd trimester, you have to undergo various diagnostic tests, scans and vaccines in an alternative week or in a month, so prior come to the hospital make sure about doctor’s availability and facilities going on there.
  • Due to hormonal imbalance, there will be huge anxiety, so do some pranayama & meditations before sleep.
  • Do some antenatal yoga in the early morning.
  • Create positive affirmation cards for yourself by listening to music, watching positive vivid movie & spending quality time with family members.
  • Just switch off the news, use social media or phone to connect with your close ones, but disconnect from everything else going on outside.

Jagat Prasad Upadhyay, BPH Graduate, Gandaki Medical College, Tribhuvan University

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Field Manager- Action Against Hunger | Action Contre la Faim (ACF)

Vacancy Announcement :USAID’s Strengthening Systems for Better Health Activity

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National Plan, Policy & GuidelinesOutbreak NewsPublic HealthResearch & Publication

COVID-19 Cases Isolation Management Guidelines

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

COVID-19 Cases Isolation Management Guidelines

Isolation Guidelines Final 2077 02 20 1 Isolation Guidelines Final 2077 02 20 2 Isolation Guidelines Final 2077 02 20 3 Isolation Guidelines Final 2077 02 20 4 Isolation Guidelines Final 2077 02 20 5COVID-19 Cases Isolation Management Guidelines

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COVID19 Resources: Guidelines and Documents- Ministry of Health and Population 

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AwardCoursesFellowships, Studentship & ScholarshipsGrants and Funding OpportunitiesInternational Jobs & OpportunitiesPhDResearch & Project GrantsSchool of Public Health

University of Huddersfield, School of Human and Health Sciences PhD Scholarships

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

University of Huddersfield, School of Human and Health Sciences PhD Scholarships

Competitive scholarships with bursaries PhD Scholarships within the School of Human and Health Sciences are available at University of Huddersfield. A new opportunity is available for three outstanding doctoral candidates to develop their careers as researchers within the School of Human and Health Sciences at the TEF Gold rated University of Huddersfield.

The School has an ambitious programme of research that is making a real difference to people’s lives. We are highly collaborative, working closely with others to tackle real-world problems for health and society. We help to form opinions, drive improvements to practice and influence policy. In short, we make things better. Postgraduate research students are an integral part of our research community. Working closely with our leading research centres they play an important role in helping us achieve our shared aspirations.

Offer

The scholarships on offer cover the fields of Health, radicalisation, terrorism, migration, cities, children and gender. One scholarship focuses on International Development and two scholarships focus on Applied Health Research within the UK.
All postgraduate researchers within our School benefit from skilled supervision by experienced and enthusiastic researchers, as well as a comprehensive programme of training in research methods and researcher development.

Amount

The full-time scholarships comprise bursaries with fee waivers for three years. The bursaries will be set at the UK research council rate which for 2020/21 is £15,285 per year.

Covid-19 accommodations

If travel is still restricted in September 2020 due to Covid-19, the University will be able to support PhD candidates remotely, though would expect candidates to be present on campus at least monthly as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.  Candidates will also be supported in developing methods of remote data collection, should this be necessary. Bursaries will be paid once candidates are present on campus, though would be backdated if a period of remote working had been necessary.

International Development Scholarship

One scholarship is available for a research proposal exploring any one of the following project outlines, each of which addresses UN sustainable development goals. This scholarship is open only to international applicants from low and middle income countries. The geographical focus is open, but we would like to encourage studies that focus on countries within the UN’s Least Developed Countries list.

Project outlines

Funding

This scholarship offers a bursary of £15,285 per annum and a full international fee waiver.

Applied Health Research Scholarships

Two scholarships are available for research on social prescribing for people with mental health problems, one with adults with serious mental health problems and the other with younger people. These are linked to the Mental and Physical Complexity theme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber (ARCYH).

Funding

These scholarships offer a bursary of £15,285 per annum and for Home/EU applicants fees are waived. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply for these two scholarships but will be required to cover the annual difference between Home/EU fees and overseas tuition fee rates (for 2020/21 this difference is £9,475 per annum, payable by the student).

Eligibility criteria/entry requirements

Achievement in a relevant academic discipline that equates to first class honours at undergraduate level or a distinction at master’s level.

University will consider applicants who are expecting to achieve this before September, so long as there is clear evidence from coursework marks that they are on target for this. International applicants who are non-native users of the English Language should have at least an overall academic IELTS test score of 7.0 with no score below 6.5, or equivalent.

Application deadline: 22 June 2020

More Information: University Website

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Fact SheetHealth in DataNon- Communicable Diseases (NCDs)PH Important DayPublic HealthPublic Health EventsPublic Health UpdateTobacco Control

World No Tobacco Day 2020: protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

World No Tobacco Day 2020: protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on May 31st. WNTD aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on health. WNTD 2020 aims to protect children and adolescents from industry manipulation and prevent them from nicotine and tobacco use.

Adolescents are more likely to initiate tobacco use if they lack the awareness of tobacco and related industry tactics deliberately employed to hook them on nicotine and tobacco products and if they lack the skills to say no to nicotine and tobacco. Adolescents may try some form of tobacco or nicotine products when offered as a result of direct peer pressure, influenced by advertising, promotion and sponsorship, or simply as a result of not being equipped with the knowledge or skills to refuse it.

 

The World No Tobacco Day 2020 global campaign serves to:

  • Debunk myths and expose manipulation tactics employed by the tobacco and related industries, particularly marketing tactics targeted at youth, including through the introduction of new and novel products, flavours and other attractive features;
  • Equip young people with knowledge about the tobacco and related industries’ intentions and tactics to hook current and future generations on tobacco and nicotine products; and
  • Empower influencers (in pop culture, on social media, in the home, or in the classroom) to protect and defend youth and catalyze change by engaging them in the fight against Big Tobacco.

Key messages

Tobacco products kill more than 8 million people every year. Tobacco and related industries must continuously find new consumers to replace the ones that their products are killing to maintain revenue.

Tobacco companies spent over USD 9 billion in marketing and advertising and the world lost 8 million lives from causes related to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Tobacco and related industries’ tactics to market to children and adolescents include:

  • Over 15,000 flavours, most of which attract children and adolescents
  • Social media influencers and marketing
  • Sponsored events and parties
  • School scholarships
  • Sleek, sexy designs
  • Product placement in entertainment media
  • Free product samples
  • Single stick cigarettes make addiction more affordable
  • Selling products at eye level for children
  • Product placement and advertising near schools

We want to create a generation that is free from tobacco and second-hand smoke and the death and disease that they cause.

  • Break free from the tobacco and related industries’ manipulation by becoming educated on their tactics and the harm caused by their products.
  • Tobacco use is responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths globally. Use of nicotine and tobacco products increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
  • Over 1 million people die from second-hand smoke exposure every year.
  • Children and adolescents who use e-cigarettes at least double their chance of smoking cigarettes later in life.
  • E-cigarette use increases your risk of heart disease and lung disorders.
  • Nicotine in e-cigarettes is a highly addictive drug and can damage children’s developing brains.
  • Smoking shisha is just as harmful as other forms of tobacco use.
  • Smokeless doesn’t mean that it’s harmless.
  • Smoking is expensive, and you pay for it with your looks and your health. It causes bad breath, yellow teeth, wrinkly skin, unhealthy lungs and a poor immune system.
  • Shisha smoke is toxic. It contains substances that cause cancer.
  • Chewing tobacco can cause mouth cancer, tooth loss, brown teeth, white patches and gum disease.
How are tobacco and related industries manipulating youth?
  • Use of flavours that are attractive to youth in tobacco and nicotine products, like cherry, bubble gum and cotton candy, which encourages young people to underestimate the related health risks and to start using them
  • Sleek designs and attractive products, which can also be easy to carry and are deceptive (e.g. products shaped like a USB stick or candy)
  • Promotion of products as “reduced harm” or “cleaner” alternatives to conventional cigarettes in the absence of objective science substantiating these claims
  • Celebrity/influencer sponsorships and brand sponsored contests to promote tobacco and nicotine products (e.g. Instagram influencers)
  • Point-of-sale marketing at vendor outlets frequented by children, including positioning near sweets, snacks or soda and providing premiums for vendors to ensure their products are displayed near venues frequented by young people (includes providing marketing materials and display cases to retailers)
  • Sale of single stick cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products near schools, which makes it cheap and easy for school children to access tobacco and nicotine products
  • Indirect marketing of tobacco products in movies, TV shows and online streaming shows
  • Tobacco vending machines at venues frequented by young people, covered in attractive advertising and pack displays, and undermining regulations on sales to minors
  • Litigation to weaken all kinds of tobacco control regulations including warning labels, display at point of sale, and regulations that limit access and marketing to children (specifically provisions to ban the sale and advertising of tobacco products near schools)
How can we join the fight against the Tobacco epidemic?
  • Celebrities and social influencers – Reject offers of “brand ambassadorship” and refuse any form of sponsorship by nicotine and tobacco industries. 
  • Social media companies – Ban advertising, promotion and sponsorship by the nicotine and tobacco industries and prohibit influencer marketing of tobacco or nicotine products.
  • Film, television or drama production companies – Pledge not to depict tobacco use or e-cigarette use.
  • Parents and relatives – Educate children and adolescents on the harms of nicotine and tobacco product use and empower them to reject industry manipulation.
  • Nurses and health practitioners – Provide children, adolescents, young adults and their parents, with updated information about the risks associated with use of these products and empower users to quit through the offer of brief cessation advice.
  • Schools– Raise awareness of the dangers of initiating nicotine and tobacco product use, adopt tobacco and e-cigarette free campuses, refuse any form of sponsorship by the nicotine and tobacco industries, and prohibit representatives from nicotine and tobacco companies from speaking at school events, school camps, etc.
  • Youth groups – Organize local events to engage and educate your peers and build a movement for a tobacco-free generation. Advocate for the adoption of effective tobacco control policies in your community to curb and prevent the manipulation of nicotine and tobacco industries
  • National and local governments – Support the implementation of comprehensive tobacco control policies, as outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This can help prevent industry evasion of tobacco control legislation and exploitation of regulatory loopholes, protect children and adolescents from industry manipulation and prevent younger generations from initiating nicotine and tobacco product use. 

Source of info: World Health Organization

Stop tobacco industry exploitation of children and young people

TOBACCO CONTROL RELATED READING MATERIALS 

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The National Anti-Tobacco Communication Campaign Strategy for Nepal Tobacco Product Pictorial Health Warning Directive 2071

Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act, 2068 (2011)

The National Anti-Tobacco Communication Campaign Strategy for Nepal 

Nepal: The Economic Case for Tobacco Control

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2030 Strategy:Nepal

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

World No Tobacco Day 2019 : “Tobacco and Lung Health”

Thailand becomes first in Asia to introduce tobacco plain packaging

Resolutions of 12th Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT12)

APACT 12th Youth Vision: Choose Youth Not Tobacco!

”Tobacco Breaks Hearts” World No Tobacco Day 2018

Ministry of Health to be made tobacco-free zone

WHO issues new guidance on tobacco product regulation towards maximum protection of public health

Tobacco Control Convention Strategy-2030 launched

World No Tobacco Day (Presentation)

Sri Lanka has been selected to receive dedicated international support on tobacco control

Online Certificate Course on Smokeless Tobacco

World No Tobacco Day 2012

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Global Health NewsPH Important DayPublic HealthPublic Health NewsTobacco Control

Stop tobacco industry exploitation of children and young people

by Public Health Update
written by Public Health Update

Stop tobacco industry exploitation of children and young people

29 May 2020 

News release
The World Health Organization is today launching a new kit for school students aged 13-17 to alert them to the tobacco industry tactics used to hook them to addictive products. Every year the tobacco industry invests more than USD 9 billion to advertise its products. Increasingly, it is targeting young people with nicotine and tobacco products in a bid to replace the 8 million people that its products kill every year.This year’s WHO’s World No Tobacco Day campaign focuses on protecting children and young people from exploitation by the tobacco and related industry. The toolkit has a set of classroom activities including one that puts the students in the shoes of the tobacco industry to make them aware of how the industry tries to manipulate them into using deadly products. It also includes an educational video, myth-buster quiz, and homework assignments.The toolkit exposes tactics such as parties and concerts hosted by the tobacco and related industries, e-cigarette flavours that attract youth like bubble-gum and candy, e-cigarette representatives presenting in schools, and product placement in popular youth  streaming shows.  

Even during a global pandemic, the tobacco and nicotine industry persist by pushing products that limit people’s ability to fight coronavirus and recover from the disease. The industry has offered free branded masks and delivery to your door during quarantine and has lobbied for their products to be listed as ‘essential’.

Smoking suffocates the lungs and other organs, starving them of the oxygen they need to develop and function properly. “Educating youth is vital because nearly 9 out of 10 smokers start before age 18. We want to provide young people with the knowledge to speak out against tobacco industry manipulation,” said Ruediger Krech, Director for Health Promotion at WHO.

Over 40 million young people aged 13-15 have already started to use tobacco. To reach Generation Z, WHO launched a TikTok challenge #TobaccoExposed and welcomed social media partners like Pinterest, Tinder, YouTube and TikTok to amplify messaging.

WHO calls on all sectors to help stop marketing tactics of tobacco and related industries that prey on children and young people:

  • Schools refuse any form of sponsorship and prohibit representatives from nicotine and tobacco companies from speaking to students
  • Celebrities and influencers reject all offers of sponsorship
  • Television and streaming services stop showing tobacco or e-cigarette use on screen
  • Social media platforms ban the marketing of tobacco and related products and prohibit influencer marketing
  • Government and financial sector divest from tobacco and related industries
  • Governments ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship

Countries can protect children from industry exploitation by putting in place strict tobacco control laws, including regulating products like e-cigarettes that have already begun to hook a new generation of young people.

WHO 29 May 2020 News release

TOBACCO CONTROL RELATED READING MATERIALS 

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

The National Anti-Tobacco Communication Campaign Strategy for Nepal Tobacco Product Pictorial Health Warning Directive 2071

Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act, 2068 (2011)

The National Anti-Tobacco Communication Campaign Strategy for Nepal 

Nepal: The Economic Case for Tobacco Control

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2030 Strategy:Nepal

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

World No Tobacco Day 2019 : “Tobacco and Lung Health”

Thailand becomes first in Asia to introduce tobacco plain packaging

Resolutions of 12th Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT12)

APACT 12th Youth Vision: Choose Youth Not Tobacco!

”Tobacco Breaks Hearts” World No Tobacco Day 2018

Ministry of Health to be made tobacco-free zone

WHO issues new guidance on tobacco product regulation towards maximum protection of public health

Tobacco Control Convention Strategy-2030 launched

World No Tobacco Day (Presentation)

Sri Lanka has been selected to receive dedicated international support on tobacco control

Online Certificate Course on Smokeless Tobacco

World No Tobacco Day 2012

 

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