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Applying an Equity Lens to Tobacco-Control Policies and Their Uptake in Six Western-European Countries

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Abstract

We identified policies that may be effective in reducing smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and examined trends in their level of application between 1985 and 2000 in six western-European countries (Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain). We located studies from literature searches in major databases, and acquired policy data from international data banks and questionnaires distributed to tobacco policy organisations/researchers. Advertising bans, smoking bans in workplaces, removing barriers to smoking cessation therapies, and increasing the cost of cigarettes have the potential to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in smoking. Between 1985 and 2000, tobacco control policies in most countries have become more targeted to decrease the smoking behaviour of low-socioeconomic groups. Despite this, many national tobacco-control strategies in western-European countries still fall short of a comprehensive policy approach to addressing smoking inequalities.

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Acknowledgements

The research received financial support from the “Tackling Scocioeconomic Inequalities in Smoking” project funded by European Commission. Dr. Katrina Giskes is supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Sidney Sax International Post Doctoral Fellowship (grant identification number: 290540).

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Correspondence to K Giskes.

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This study identifies policies that may be effective in reducing smoking among socio-economically disadvantaged groups. It also examines trends in their application between 1985 and 2000 in six western-European countries. This overview indicates how tobacco control strategies have evolved to target smoking inequalities, and identifies areas for further improvement of existing policy.

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Giskes, K., Kunst, A., Ariza, C. et al. Applying an Equity Lens to Tobacco-Control Policies and Their Uptake in Six Western-European Countries. J Public Health Pol 28, 261–280 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jphp.3200132

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