Recession won't reduce tobacco use, says expert

Washington, Mar 13 (ANI): Although recession has bitten people's pockets worldwide, it will most likely do nothing to reduce tobacco use, says a new report.

The third edition of The Tobacco Atlas, co-authored by Michael Eriksen, director of Georgia State University Institute of Public Health was launched here at the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health this week.

The atlas lays out a comprehensive picture of global tobacco use, regulations, financial costs and health tolls.

In an economic downturn, products seen as giving comfort in the midst of stress tend to sell very well. Tobacco is no exception.

"It's not well understood, but as people lose jobs, the unemployed and others affected by tough economic times may rely on 'affordable pleasures'. The irony is that the more deprived someone is, people will rely on simple pleasures that are unfortunately deadly pleasures," Eriksen said.

Eriksen said that since the last edition of the atlas was released in 2006, changes in issues around global tobacco use have been a mixed bag.

Positive changes include the relatively rapid ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world's first public health treaty developed by the World Health Organization.

The treaty obligates signatories to commit to actions such as advertising bans and indoor clean air laws to stem tobacco use, illness and death. Excluding the United States, 163 nations have ratified the treaty.

Another positive outcome has been the 500 billion dollar investment by Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg's philanthropic activities in tobacco control.

On the contrary, tobacco companies since 2006 have been able to adapt to changes, and continue to profit from a preventable cause of illness and death, to the tune of 30 billion dollars in profits.

"At one level, they have figured out how to work in a new regulatory environment, and on another level, there are active attempts to undermine nations' attempts to fulfill their obligations around the treaty," Eriksen said. (ANI)