Smokeless Tobacco Supply Chain in South Asia: A Comparative Analysis Using the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Smokeless Tobacco Supply Chain in South Asia: A Comparative Analysis Using the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
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DOI：
10.1093/ntr/ntv067
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发表时间：
2016-04-01
影响因子：
4.7
通讯作者：
Watt, Ian
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Siddiqi, Kamran;Scammell, Katy;Watt, Ian
大多数南亚国家是《世界卫生组织烟草控制框架公约》的签署国。然而，关于在控制无烟烟草方面有效实施《烟草控制框架公约》标准的程度的信息很少，无烟烟草在该区域有2.5亿多人使用。我们基于对SLT供应链关键参与者的访谈，并使用FCTC设定的标准分析其调查结果，评估了一种新方法的可行性。采用滚雪球抽样技术，我们采访了孟加拉国、尼泊尔和巴基斯坦参与SLT供应链的销售点供应商、批发零售商、制造商、原烟零售商和农民。使用结构化问卷，参与者被问及他们的客户概况；产品类型;营销实践;供应商;利润率，意识和遵守法律。我们招募了72%（130/180）的供应链参与者。调查结果表明，现有的税收、监管和检查制度存在一些漏洞。市场上有相当比例的走私和假冒SLT产品。大多数SLT产品在销售时没有推荐警告、成分信息和制造商详细信息。向未成年人销售SLT产品似乎没有限制。另一方面，供应链中也有一些激励措施，使烟草种植、SLT制造及其销售成为一项有利可图的业务。我们研究SLT控制的新方法在识别和访谈供应链中涉及的参与者方面取得了成功。使用FCTC进行分析可以为决策者提供有价值的信息，使他们能够有效地监管SLT产品。
Most South Asian countries are signatories to the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, there is little information on the extent to which FCTC standards are effectively implemented for controlling smokeless tobacco (SLT)-used by over 250 million people in the region. We assessed the feasibility of a novel approach based on interviewing the key actors of SLT supply chain and analyzing its findings using standards set by FCTC.Using a snowball-sampling technique, we interviewed point-of-sale vendors, wholesale retailers, manufacturers, raw-tobacco retailers, and farmers involved in the supply chain of SLT in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Using a structured-questionnaire, participants were asked about their customer profiles; product types; marketing practices; suppliers; profit margins, awareness and adherence to legislation.We recruited 72% (130/180) of all supply chain actors approached. Findings indicate several loopholes in the existing taxation, regulatory, and inspection systems. A significant proportion of smuggled and counterfeit SLT products are available in the market. Most SLT products are sold without recommended warnings, information on their ingredients, and manufacturers' details. There appear to be no restrictions on sale of SLT products to minors. On the other hand, there are also several incentives built-in the supply chain that makes tobacco farming, SLT manufacturing, and its sale a profitable business.Our novel approach to study SLT control was successful in identifying and interviewing actors involved in its supply chain. The analysis using FCTC could provide valuable information to policy makers and enable them to effectively regulate SLT products.