Neglected Global Epidemics: three growing threats As in the negotiation of the FCTC, tobacco control activists in health professions, concerned nongovernmental organizations and grass-roots groups have an important role on the inter national stage during the ratification process. They can continue to promote the ratification nd implementation of the FCTC and the introduction of effective national legislation in support of the Convention National policies and programmes A comprehensive public health approach to tobacco control effectively prevents the begin ning of tobacco use and promotes its cessation, through a range of measures including tax and price policy, restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, packaging and labelling requirements, educational campaigns, restrictions on smoking in public places and cessation support services. A comprehensive approach must include young people and women and reach the entire population. National policies must also confront fresh challenges such as regulatory frameworks for new tobacco products that are just beginning to appear on the market. Moreover, with the adop- redefined to include the transnational components of tobacco control, as a o has now been tion of the FCTC, the definition of a comprehensive tobacco control strat national and local measures Few countries have implemented the comprehensive measures needed to create a significant decline in tobacco use. The policy measures known to have the biggest impact on individual levels of consumption, cessation rates and initiation rates require sustained political will and engagement, and above all effective and well-enforced legislation The capacity for effective tobacco control is lacking in most countries. Most do not have the necessary infrastructure or human resources to sustain a basic tobacco control programme. As an example, few national governments have people working full-time on tobacco control In many countries, civil society has not yet been mobilized around the issue, so even when governments have adequate political will to propose tobacco control measures, tobacco com panies can easily oppose and weaken policies. Even where the ministry of health is supportive of action it may be unable to make its case successfully above the voices of other more influ- ntial ministries Building national capacity The success of the Convention largely depends on countries ratifying the treaty and imple menting effective tobacco control measures. Building and strengthening national capacity in political, managerial and technical aspects of tobacco control is the key to a systematic multisectoral approach. Only this approach will ensure sustainable community and govern nental action for comprehensive tobacco control efforts at the local, national and global levels Many countries have not yet developed national plans of action for tobacco control, largely because of lack of consensus and political commitment. Where such plans exist, policy in truments may remain ineffective because of weak enforcement. Governments and civil soci ety need to be convinced that investing resources to prepare for tobacco control will reap benefits in the medium and longer term. Continuous monitoring of tobacco industry activi ties and strategies will be required to counteract the industry's manoeuvres to undermine tobacco control efforts. Strong political commitment and engagement are essentialNeglected Global Epidemics: three growing threats 93 As in the negotiation of the FCTC, tobacco control activists in health professions, concerned nongovernmental organizations and grass-roots groups have an important role on the inter￾national stage during the ratification process. They can continue to promote the ratification and implementation of the FCTC and the introduction of effective national legislation in support of the Convention. National policies and programmes A comprehensive public health approach to tobacco control effectively prevents the begin￾ning of tobacco use and promotes its cessation, through a range of measures including tax and price policy, restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, packaging and labelling requirements, educational campaigns, restrictions on smoking in public places and cessation support services. A comprehensive approach must include young people and women and reach the entire population. National policies must also confront fresh challenges such as regulatory frameworks for new tobacco products that are just beginning to appear on the market. Moreover, with the adop￾tion of the FCTC, the definition of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy has now been redefined to include the transnational components of tobacco control, as a complement to national and local measures. Few countries have implemented the comprehensive measures needed to create a significant decline in tobacco use. The policy measures known to have the biggest impact on individual levels of consumption, cessation rates and initiation rates require sustained political will and engagement, and above all effective and well-enforced legislation. The capacity for effective tobacco control is lacking in most countries. Most do not have the necessary infrastructure or human resources to sustain a basic tobacco control programme. As an example, few national governments have people working full-time on tobacco control. In many countries, civil society has not yet been mobilized around the issue, so even when governments have adequate political will to propose tobacco control measures, tobacco com￾panies can easily oppose and weaken policies. Even where the ministry of health is supportive of action it may be unable to make its case successfully above the voices of other more influ￾ential ministries. Building national capacity The success of the Convention largely depends on countries ratifying the treaty and imple￾menting effective tobacco control measures. Building and strengthening national capacity in political, managerial and technical aspects of tobacco control is the key to a systematic multisectoral approach. Only this approach will ensure sustainable community and govern￾mental action for comprehensive tobacco control efforts at the local, national and global levels. Many countries have not yet developed national plans of action for tobacco control, largely because of lack of consensus and political commitment. Where such plans exist, policy in￾struments may remain ineffective because of weak enforcement. Governments and civil soci￾ety need to be convinced that investing resources to prepare for tobacco control will reap benefits in the medium and longer term. Continuous monitoring of tobacco industry activi￾ties and strategies will be required to counteract the industry’s manoeuvres to undermine tobacco control efforts. Strong political commitment and engagement are essential