Written task enabling students to apply their understanding of global health and sustainability by critically appraising a global health initiative. The effect of tobacco consumption is a global...

Running Head: Critical Appraisal
Critical Appraisal
PUBH640 Assessment Task 3
Critical Appraisal/ Evaluation of a Global Health Initiative
Student Name:
Introduction
This assignment identifies the tobacco consumption as a global health issue, which contributes to high rates of mortality. The global health initiative is to reduce the tobacco consumption. The report critically evaluates the initiative using evidence based resources, focusing on sustainability of the initiative. The structure of the report includes: 1. Problem Definition, 2. The Initiative, 3. Implementation, 4. Impact and Sustainability, followed by the conclusion.
Problem Definition
Tobacco consumption is one of the most severe threats to human health across the globe. Tobacco consumption kills more than two third of the long term users and is hazardous to several other people. More than 7 million global deaths occur every year due to tobacco, which is far greater than the deaths caused by TB, malaria and AIDs combined (Curtis, 2017). More than 80% of smokers live in low and middle income countries. 12.2% of deaths occurring in low and middle income countries annually are related to tobacco consumption (Curtis, 2017). Therefore, Tobacco consumption poses a global burden over the healthcare resources and the system. It is a serious economic drain over the countries, accounting to $320 billion of global healthcare cost, every year.
The Initiative
Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) started by World Health Organisation in 1988 drew global attention of countries towards the epidemic of tobacco and related preventable cause of death. In 1988, WHO passed a resolution declaring the ‘World No Tobacco Day’ to be celebrated around the world, every year on 31 May (World Health Organisation, 2019). The celebration each year informs the people over the hazards of tobacco use, the business practices of tobacco companies and the programs undertaken by WHO to combat the tobacco epidemic (Australia Government Department of Health, 2020). It also increases awareness in the people, about what they can do to live healthy life and to protect the future generations from the consequences of tobacco consumption.
Since 1988, this initiative has been celebrated each year, based on different themes. For Example, The slogan of year 1988 was- “Tobacco or Health: Choose Health”. In 2020, the slogan is-“Protecting the youth from industry manipulations and preventing tobacco and nicotine use” (World Health Organisation, 2019). This initiative has been started as a part of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), mainly aimed to lower down the use of tobacco and the exposure of people towards the smoke of tobacco.
The initiative targets all the countries, especially targeting the lower and middle income countries and most vulnerable sections of society like youth and women. The initiative focuses on tobacco control measures, legislation and enforcement, health systems and professionals, capacity building, tobacco plain packaging and many more programs at the global level. The FCTC’s measures and planning for tobacco control is expressed as regulations, policies and legislations. The WHO FCTC imposes legal obligations over the participating countries. It enforces these countries to develop and strengthen their administrative policies for tobacco control and enforce them effectively.
Implementation
By enabling and advocating the increased implementation of FCTC, in form of sustainable systems, the TFI works largely to free the world from tobacco use, in different countries. It monitors the tobacco use and preventive policies while strengthening the tobacco control.
The implementation of TFI is based on ethical framework which identifies the right of every person to health, life and freedom. It is identified as valuing the human rights as specified in Convention on the Rights of Child, Convention on elimination of all kinds of discrimination against women and the international convention on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights. The governments adopt and implement tobacco control measures directed by FCTC, the health systems are directed to treat and prevent dependence on tobacco. A package of technical measures and resources known as ‘MPower’ is provided to the participating countries to strengthen their capacity for tobacco measures (WHO, 2019).
The initiative ensures that the international agencies and the governments are efficiently equipped to implement transnational and national approach towards the tobacco control. It ensures to enhance the number of countries having effective tobacco control policies, plans and provisions as per the FCTC. The initiative provides global leadership in tobacco related policies, accelerates mobilization at every level across the society, supports and promotes FCTC and assists the countries in implementing tobacco control measures according to FCTC provisions.
The core functions of TFI include training and capacity building, Global network for Tobacco Free Initiative, monitoring and surveillance programs, policy development and research, media and communication, and providing technical support to implement FCTC.
The framework as implemented in different countries brought significant changes in tobacco related policies and practice. For example, the excise duty on tobacco products was raised in several countries above 35%, of the retail selling price, though the WHO recommended for 70% increase (WHO, 2019). The initiative, when implemented in different countries prohibited the tobacco use in all the public places. The initiative also banned the advertisement, sponsorship and promotion for all the tobacco based products. However, many countries like Kenya still could not free up their public places from the billboard advertisements (Mohamed, Juma, Asiki & Kyobutungi, 2018).
The warnings and health information has been displayed at the tobacco packaging, covering 30-50%...