The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: AIHA - American International Health Alliance, with funding from USAID (1997-1998), has supported Partnership project in the area of tobacco control on the community level in the Slovak Republic. The strategic goal of project was: to promote healthier lifestyles by decreasing smoking prevalence via realization of tobacco control activities. The aim of this presentation is to evaluate the long-term comprehensive impact of partnership project not only on the local level but also on the national level with help of another international organization - WHO, UN, ACS, MetroHealth System of Cleveland.

Methods: The activities focused on: collecting data and information from general public regarding their smoking habits, opinion and attitudes to tobacco control activities; educating public and local, national officials concerning comprehensive aspects of tobacco control; lobbying in national Parliament for ratifying of FCTC; arranging of discussion concerning national guidelines for smoking cessation and education of health professionals; organizing of press conferences; many others activities.

Results: Local level + National level: arranging first hospital No-smoking Promotion Center operating in Martin with regional and national covering; edition the first National Guidelines for tobacco dependence treatment and textbook “Nicotine dependence and treatment” (WHO, UN support); realization of regular post-gradual education of health professionals; establishment of websites for public and health professionals; establishment of national multisectorial committee for tobacco control coordination in Slovakia; Slovak republic was 7th country of the world ratified FCTC; prevalence of smoking decreased from 36% (1998) to 29% (2002) in town Martin and in Slovakia from 29% to 27%.