Scientific evidence regarding tobacco control policies

Abstract

Objective: To overview the health effects of tobacco smoking and the effects of tobacco control policies. Methods: Data were collected from the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs and U.S. Surgeon General Reports for the health effects of smoking, and from the U.S. Guide to Community Preventive Services for tobacco control policies. Results: Liver and colorectal cancers, diabetes and other chronic diseases were added to the list of diseases causally related to active smoking. Stroke was added to the list of diseases causally related to passive smoking. The recommended tobacco control policies to decrease tobacco use included raising unit prices, clean air policies, and quitlmes. The impact of internet-based cessation programs and cessation contests in the media were categorized as having "insufficient evidence". Conclusions: The scientific evidence, although mainly from Western studies, is sufficient to illustrate the health effects of tobacco smoking and the effects of tobacco control policies. The tobacco control policies in Japan should be based not only on feasibility, but also on scientific evidence.