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Global Tobacco Control

Prerequisite:

Introduction to Online Learning is required prior to participating in any of the School's Internet-based courses.

Description:

Provides an overview of actions taken over 50 years that have led to tobacco control being the most successful public health initiative. Actions of tobacco control are directly linked to changes in societal norms so that smoking is no longer socially acceptable in the US and in other countries. This course presents evidence-based policies, regulations, advocacy and communication strategies responsible for these changes. Challenges still present include disparities as well as introduction of novel products (Juul). The influence of transnational tobacco industries will be discussed and their role in undermining governmental and international actions to control tobacco use.

Introduces tobacco control strategies, policies, and practices to provide an understanding of what is being done to address this public health problem. Provides a historical context in which to understand the consequences of smoking and tobacco use. Provides a framework to understand how tobacco control has evolved and to understand practical approaches to tobacco prevention, control, cessation, advocacy, surveillance, and evaluation being implemented in the U.S. and in other countries. Discusses the transnational tobacco companies and their role in undermining actions to control tobacco use. Examines international tobacco control issues including the determinants of tobacco addiction, tobacco control strategies, tobacco products such as novel tobacco products (e.g., e-cigarettes), tobacco industry strategies, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), legal foundations for regulation, and basic surveillance and evaluation methods using lectures, case studies, and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the concepts and principles of tobacco control and describe the components of a comprehensive tobacco control approach
2. Describe the scope of the social, health, and economic burden of tobacco use worldwide
3. Describe the historical context upon which current evidence-based policies and practices are built
4. Discern the different approaches occurring in the U.S. and in other regions of the world
5. Discuss different types of tobacco products as well as use by different populations
6. Identify the interference employed by transnational tobacco companies to undermine tobacco control

Methods of Assessment:

This course is evaluated as follows:

• 10% Participation
• 60% Written Assignment(s)
• 30% Project(s)

Instructor Consent:

No consent required