Den største utfordring til forebyggende helsearbeid
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5324/nje.v5i2.254Sammendrag
S
AMMENDRAGAntall årlige dødsofre av tobakksrøyking anslås nå til 3
millioner (alle land samlet); i 2025 vil det være 10 millioner,
hvis ikke røykemønstret endres. Storstilt global forebyggende
innsats har latt vente på seg, vesentlig p.g.a. tobakksindustriens
motstand og myndighetenes lunkenhet.
Det er påvist virkning av en rekke tiltak, bl.a. reklameforbud,
helseadvarsler på pakkene, avgiftsøkninger og røykerestriksjoner.
For å skape et effektivt program er det nødvendig med
solid faglig ekspertise, sterke pressgrupper, engasjerte byråkrater
og handlekraftige politikere.
Canada har for tiden det mest avanserte program. Norge lå
bra an i 1970-årene, men sakket noe av i 80-årene. Tobakksforbruket
steg inntil ca. 1975, men er falt senere. Det samme
gjelder prosent dagligrøykere blant elever i grunnskolen. Det har
vært en nedgang i dagligrøyking blant menn; blant kvinner er det
hittil liten endring, unntatt blant de yngste, som har nedgang.
Utviklingen i de fattige landene er mest bekymringsfull.
Norske politikere burde være pådrivere for å få FN til å vedta en
internasjonal konvensjon om tobakkskontroll.
Administrerende overlege, dr.med. Kjell Bjartveit,
Statens helseundersøkelser
Bjartveit K.
The greatest challenge to preventive health work. Nor J Epidemiol 1995; 5 (2): 93-106.
ENGLISH SUMMARY
It is estimated that, worldwide, three million people die every year as a result of tobacco smoking. This
number will increase to 10 million by year 2025 if today's pattern of smoking continues. Large-scale global
preventive action is long in coming, mainly due to resistance of the tobacco industry and a lukewarm attitude on
the part of national governments.
Various measures, such as a ban on advertising, health warnings on packaging, tax increases and restrictions
on smoking, have been shown to work. Prerequisites for an effective programme are highly qualified
professional expertise, strong pressure groups, dedicated bureaucrats and energetically involved politicians.
Canada has the most advanced programme at present. Norway's efforts compared favourably in the 1970s,
but slowed down in the 1980s. Per capita tobacco consumption increased up to about 1975, but has since
declined. The same applies to the percentage of smokers in the lower secondary schools. The prevalence of daily
smoking has declined among men; little change has been observed in women, except in the youngest age group,
where smoking has decreased.
Developments in the poor countries of the world give greatest cause for concern. Norwegian politicians
should actively urge the United Nations to adopt an international convention on tobacco control.
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