%0 Journal Article
%T Stakeholders' opinions about a tobacco policy in Lao PDR
%A Tanja Tomson
%A Kongsap Akkhavong
%A Hans Gilljam
%J Tobacco Induced Diseases
%D 2009
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1617-9625-5-2
%X This is a qualitative case study with a standardised open-ended questionnaire answered by eleven stakeholders in leading positions within different ministries and the media, donors and NGOs. Themes included the perception of tobacco among professionals, awareness of tobacco as a public health issue, importance of inter-sectoral cooperation, and obstacles faced in implementing policies. The research team included both outsiders and an insider. Analysis was done using the case and cross-case analysis.Among the respondents there was consensus regarding the positive impact of a national tobacco policy with the exception of the representative from the Ministry of Agriculture. Stakeholders identified education, awareness creation through media and law enforcement as important interventions, followed by taxation. Education should be diversified in the way it should be delivered. It was emphasized that people in rural areas and minority groups need tailored made approaches. A major limiting factor in moving tobacco control forward in LMIC was stated to be the lack of funding. The refusal by tobacco industry to participate in the study is noteworthy. It is essential to draft a national tobacco policy that can help the government to increase taxes, and create adequate provisions for the enforcement of tobacco laws and regulations.Although tobacco use has declined in many high-income countries, recent decades show sharp rises in tobacco use, especially among men, in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) [1]. This has fuelled by falling real prices and rising incomes that have made cigarettes increasingly affordable, as well as by aggressive and sophisticated tobacco advertising. By 2030, more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in LMIC [1]. Close to 60% of the 5,700 billion cigarettes smoked each year and 75% of tobacco users are found in LMIC [2]. Countries and development agencies are increasingly recognizing that tobacco use has negative implications for development that g
%U http://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.com/content/5/1/2