The tobacco epidemic is one of the most serious threats to public health globally despite the fact that it is preventable. Tobacco use is responsible for approximately 6 million premature deaths a year globally and this will increase to 8 million per year by 2030 if no additional tobacco control measures are implemented. By that time, about 80% of tobacco-related deaths will occur in LMICs.
Research has shown that increasing excise taxes on tobacco, which leads to higher tobacco prices, is the most successful and cost-effective tobacco control instrument. Yet Article 6 of the FCTC, which encourages the use of price and tax measures as an effective method to reduce demand for tobacco is the least well-implemented aspect of the FCTC.
Research and advocacy efforts can help counter country industry arguments, demonstrate the economic importance of tobacco control policies, and support the use of the most successful and cost-effective tobacco control instrument tobacco taxation and price measures.
Yet country-specific economic evidence in support of tobacco control and/or strong evidence to address the industry's arguments are often not available or are not fully utilised. Providing funding for economics of tobacco control research and advocacy, particularly in LMICs, will increase the expertise available in the field and accelerate implementation of evidence-based policies in LMICs.
With this in mind, the American Cancer Society and Cancer Research UK have created PROACTT - a unique team based programme designed to increase the resources and training available to LMIC researchers and advocates. The primary goal of the programme is the support effective implementation of evidence-based policies in LMICs, particularly in relation to tobacco taxation and price measures, which reduce tobacco prevalence and prevent youth uptake of smoking.
