Translating evidence and building capacity to support waterpipe control in the Eastern Mediterranean

翻译后摘要：在过去的十年中，水烟（WP;水烟）已成为第一烟草使用方法 在东地中海地区（EMR）的青年中， 继续落后。这主要是由于两个因素：1）政策解决方案的不匹配， 卷烟对当地烟草的使用方法如WP等缺乏了解; 2）对当地烟草缺乏了解 （c）技术合作政策环境和执行方面的挑战。另一方面，世界卫生组织的框架 《烟草控制公约》（FCTC）得到大多数国家的批准， 解决该地区的WP吸烟问题。从2002年开始，我们的团队就得到了TOBAC计划的支持， 叙利亚烟草研究中心（SCTS）一直站在表征WP流行及其 健康和成瘾特性。这些基础工作使我们为下一阶段的翻译工作做好了准备 将证据转化为政策，以支持EMR控制WP流行的努力。鉴于人们普遍的误解 可湿性粉剂的危害性和成瘾性低于香烟，以及健康警告标签（HWL）在 为了宣传与吸烟有关的风险，HWL的发展是WP控制的优先事项。开发HWL 然而，对于WP来说，要求它们适应其独特的多部分背景，包括烟草，设备和 木炭，而WP-HWL的实施需要了解当地的政策环境， 强有力的国家伙伴关系。在我们与黎巴嫩正在进行的合作的基础上（美国大学 贝鲁特）和突尼斯（突尼斯大学），我们希望协助这些国家制定和实施 这些国家的技术合作政策研究能力的建设。我们将采用混合 在目标人群成员的参与下开发和测试HWL的方法 主要由年轻人（18-25岁）组成。我们还将研究当地卫生系统的结构和功能 突尼斯和黎巴嫩的系统，因此我们可以为WP-HWL的实施提出一个明确的路线图， 并在研究人员和政策制定者之间建立伙伴关系，以促进这种实施。这 应用程序代表了我们的团队在应对WP流行病方面的持续领导力， 加强电子监测报告中的技术合作能力。它将帮助突尼斯和黎巴嫩，也许还有其他国家发展 有效的HWL为WP，并配备他们的手段，成功地实施它们。

Abstract: In the past decade waterpipe smoking (WP; hookah) has become the No. 1 tobacco use method among youth in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), yet evidence-based solutions to the WP epidemic continue to lag behind. This is mainly due to 2 factors; 1) the mismatch of policy solutions derived from cigarettes to local tobacco use methods such as the WP; and 2) the lack of understanding of local tobacco control (TC) policy environment and challenges to implementation. On the other hand, the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) ratified by most countries in the EMR provides an opportunity to address WP smoking in the region. Supported by program TOBAC since its beginning in 2002, our team at the Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies (SCTS) has been on the forefront of characterizing the WP epidemic and its health and addictive properties. Such groundwork has prepared us to plan for the next stage of translating evidence into policy to support EMR efforts to control the WP epidemic. Given the widespread misperceptions that WP is less harmful and addictive than cigarettes, and the value of health warning labels (HWLs) in communicating smoking-related risks, the development of HWLs is a priority for WP control. Developing HWLs for the WP however, requires their adaptation to its unique multi-part context comprised of tobacco, device and charcoal, while implementation of WP-HWLs requires an understanding of the local policy environment, and strong national partnerships. Building on our ongoing collaboration with Lebanon (American University of Beirut) and Tunisia (University of Tunis), we want to assist these countries in developing and implementing effective HWLs for the WP and in building their national capacity in TC policy research. We will apply a mixed method approach to develop and test HWLs with the involvement of members of the target population comprised mostly of young adults (18-25 years). We will also study the structure and functioning of local health systems in Tunisia and Lebanon, so we can propose a clear roadmap for the implementation of WP-HWLs, and establish partnerships among researchers and policymakers than can facilitate such implementation. This application represents our team’s continuing leadership in responding to the WP epidemic, and in strengthening TC capacity in the EMR. It will help Tunisia and Lebanon, and perhaps other countries develop effective HWLs for WP, and equip them with the means to implement them successfully.