Country Profiles on implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the WHO Souh-East Asia Region

Abstract

WHO South-East Asia Region (‎SEAR)‎ is home to about one fourth of the world’s population. Studies show that more than half of adult males and nearly two in ten adult females use tobacco in one form or another. There are wide-ranging differences among countries as within countries in relation to tobacco use: the prevalence, types of tobacco used, gender disaggregation, etc. Types of tobacco used and prevalence of tobacco use for adults and youth is documented in this profile by age and sex groups based on available survey data. Member States of WHO South-East Asia Region have been implementing tobacco control measures in line with the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (‎WHO FCTC)‎. They are in various stages of adopting legislations, enforcing them and enhancing tobacco control measures. Since the advent of WHO FCTC, structures for the implementation of tobacco control programmes have been established in most countries. These structures are tasked primarily to monitor and facilitate implementation of the tobacco control laws that are in place. The tobacco control infrastructure as well as existing tobacco control legislations, health warnings, taxation on tobacco products, tobacco industry and tobacco agriculture are also documented in this profile. At the Sixty-eighth Session of the Regional Committee, Member States unanimously adopted the Dili Declaration to accelerate implementation of WHO FCTC. This profile will be of benefit to Member States to monitor their tobacco control activities while accelerating the implementation of WHO FCTC.