Delinda A. Chapman, Ed.D. Immediate Past President AAUW-IL, Inc.
Springfield, IL September, 17, 2000
The importance of and need to limit tobacco use worldwide is well documented. Four million people today die of smoking related diseases-heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer. It is estimated that by 2030 10 million people annually will die from the use of tobacco. Women are one-sixth of all smokers, one-fourth of whom will die of smoking related causes. Looking at the data, the tobacco industry has begun to target women in developing countries, especially by use of billboards.
The 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health, hosted by the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, brought together over 4400 people from 160 different countries for one week to discuss the problems and challenges associated with tobacco use. The number of events, workshops, meetings was staggering, and the amount of information immense. The topics ranged from scientific studies on tobacco and nicotine, to advocacy, treatment, communications, fundraising, prevention, the industry, public policy, cultural approaches, international activity, and expansion of the movement.
Attending the conference as a representative of the International Federation of University Women (IFUW), a non-governmental organization (NGO), I was interested in the international aspects of the conference. While at the same time being a co-chair of the Tobacco Settlement committee for the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois, I listened for suggestions for addressing the challenges in my own state.
As the IFUW representative, my charge was to meet with representatives from INGCAT, the International Non-Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco. On Sunday, the first day of the conference, INGCAT held a meeting "Together against Tobacco 2000: INGCAT NGO Mobilisation." Being overwhelmed by the number of people, the amount of information in the program directory, the inability to find a contact person, I missed the meeting. By day two, I did locate the INGCAT booth and leaders where I was able to collect information and schedule a one to one meeting.
Besides INGCAT, there were many coalitions in attendance: the International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT), ASTHO (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) Tobacco Control Network, the International Coalition Against Tobacco (ICAT), and more. For the purposes of IFUW, INGCAT is the best organization with which to be affiliated. It addresses NGO concerns. It has many countries as associate members, a growing membership, a full-time staff, a newsletter, support as full members from well known associations-American Lung Association, European Respiratory Society, Danish Lung Association, World Heart Federation, etc. The benefits for IFUW to be associated with INGCAT are access to up-to-date information, statistics, notice of meetings, a spokesperson for all members, a network of other NGOs, and support. For more information on INGCAT, the organization is available on-line at www.ingcat.org. Materials from INGCAT are included with this report.
The other network for consideration by IFUW is the International Network of Women Against Tobacco (INWAT). INWAT is not as visible, connected or organized. A few materials from INWAT are part of this packet. For more information on INWAT, see www.ingcat.org.
Many countries are working on tobacco control measures. Canada, for example, has an effective coalition. Other countries are just beginning the struggle. IFUW with access to 180,000 women in 69 national federations and associations worldwide and with support from INGCAT, can add to the discussions in each country to promote health and prevent diseases through collaborative tobacco control activities.
As INGCAT points out in their statement to the World Health Organization (WHO) public hearings on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to be held 12-13 October 2000 in Geneva, Switzerland, "The tobacco epidemic is one of the major public health problems of our times. Unparalleled expansion of tobacco production and aggressive marketing throughout the world, particularly in low income areas, means that individuals and their nations are losing lives and resources in staggering numbers.. Severely limiting the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry would give greater opportunity for free choice by governments and individuals, greater potential for public health and opportunities to stop smoking." It is incumbent on organizations like IFUW to join together to form the critical mass to effectively block the tobacco industry by informing the public of the dangers of tobacco and the strategies of the industry to continue to make money.
NGOs need to follow what is happening internationally in terms of the tobacco industry tactics. NGOs can be important in advancing anti-tobacco norms by challenging the media's use of advertising, by examining available internal documents, and by giving testimony. IFUW, as an NGO with a stated position on tobacco and health, can be a voice in this campaign to decrease use of tobacco products.
