Organizations (NGOs) have a policy dominance in tobacco control, NGO communities are well developed and have tight links to government while the industry is largely economically absent. In addition, the health ministry plays a central role in the policymaking process, FCTC Article 5.3. is strictly interpreted and the framing of tobacco focuses on the health aspects of smoking. In contrast, in countries where the tobacco industry and associated businesses have a policy dominance, the industry is more strongly embedded in the domestic economy while NGO communities are weak or absent in the field of tobacco control. In these countries, the health ministry plays a subordinate role in the policymaking process, FCTC’s article 5.3. is only interpreted in terms of transparency and tobacco is framed as a private problem. They concluded that the way tobacco is framed in a country and the way institutions are arranged correspond to the policy monopoly in place, with strong similarities across countries with the same policy monopoly. Despite an active community of health NGOs in the Netherlands, the political agenda of the current ruling party often objects to the introduction of strict tobacco control regulations. Since tobacco control has not been a priority, the response to policymaking has been stagnant and uncoordinated. Amersfoort relevant recommendations: Put in place an endgame goal, building on the (moderate) gains achieved to date. SILNE-R data show that governments that have embraced endgame goals have committed themselves to ending smoking altogether and that a set endgame goal likely facilitates the adoption of measures in order to achieve this goal. The most progressive SILNE-R countries (Finland and Ireland) both have governments that have translated endgame goals to policy. A strict interpretation of FCTC article 5.3 among all ministries is required. Provide better support for the NGO community in the Netherlands to create strong networks at national and international levels so that they can actively try to influence policymakers and politicians to ensure them to use article 5.3 as much as possible. Costs and cost effectiveness of various TC policies As regards the current landscape of tobacco control policies and their costs in 7
Organizations (NGOs) have a policy dominance in tobacco control, NGO communities are well developed and have tight links to government while the industry is largely economically absent. In addition, the health ministry plays a central role in the policymaking process, FCTC Article 5.3. is strictly interpreted and the framing of tobacco focuses on the health aspects of smoking. In contrast, in countries where the tobacco industry and associated businesses have a policy dominance, the industry is more strongly embedded in the domestic economy while NGO communities are weak or absent in the field of tobacco control. In these countries, the health ministry plays a subordinate role in the policymaking process, FCTC’s article 5.3. is only interpreted in terms of transparency and tobacco is framed as a private problem. They concluded that the way tobacco is framed in a country and the way institutions are arranged correspond to the policy monopoly in place, with strong similarities across countries with the same policy monopoly. Despite an active community of health NGOs in the Netherlands, the political agenda of the current ruling party often objects to the introduction of strict tobacco control regulations. Since tobacco control has not been a priority, the response to policymaking has been stagnant and uncoordinated. Amersfoort relevant recommendations: Put in place an endgame goal, building on the (moderate) gains achieved to date. SILNE-R data show that governments that have embraced endgame goals have committed themselves to ending smoking altogether and that a set endgame goal likely facilitates the adoption of measures in order to achieve this goal. The most progressive SILNE-R countries (Finland and Ireland) both have governments that have translated endgame goals to policy. A strict interpretation of FCTC article 5.3 among all ministries is required. Provide better support for the NGO community in the Netherlands to create strong networks at national and international levels so that they can actively try to influence policymakers and politicians to ensure them to use article 5.3 as much as possible. Costs and cost effectiveness of various TC policies As regards the current landscape of tobacco control policies and their costs in 7
silne-r_d3.2_amersfoort_fgrecs_appendix_a.docx