The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The study “Tobacco control measures in the context of high poverty” conducted within the IPF program of OSI by the authors of this poster was the first to examine the relationship between smoking and poverty in Armenia. It presents figures which indicate that increasing tobacco prices in Armenia by 10% will formally move 67,000 Armenians out of poverty and will change the country's socioeconomic situation for the better, particularly among the nation's most vulnerable group: the poor. The study is rich on interconnected graphs that can expressively demonstrate the impact of different tobacco control measures on poverty level. The objective of this poster is to evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control measures from the standpoint of poverty.

Methods: A 2mx2m poster will be designed and published in color, representing visual information regarding the study results. Appropriate consequative graphs will emphasize the importance of stricter tobacco control measures using strong arguments from the standpoint of poverty reduction policy.

Results: The poster will result in raising the urgency of the smoking problem through stressing out its impact on poverty groups. The assessment made in Armenia could create a demand for similar research in other countries, which altogether could create a better framework for lobbying further strengthening of tobacco –related legislation. The poverty – related arguments are believed to be the strongest arguments for the policy makers in the countries with middle and low income level.