Partnership in Working About Smoking and Tobacco Use Report

Abstract

The study that was conducted is related to the different actions undertaken by different groups in the society to address smoking and tobacco use. It is mainly involved in the critical examination of the potential for partnership working in relation to health promotion. The research revolved around the different concepts and issues such as the involvement of the different agencies, community groups, and individuals belonging to the public and private sectors.

Partnership in Working about Smoking and Tobacco Use

Health can be considered as one of the most important concerns in society. In relation to issues related to public health, there are different methods that are undertaken to address the problems and concerns. One of the effective actions is the synergy and integrated responses of the different agencies, organizations, community groups and even private individuals. When it comes to health issues, the actions of these groups are included in the vital resolutions.

In the study that was conducted, the main objective is to be able to present a critical examination of the potential for partnership working in relation to health promotion. This mainly involves different agencies in the private and public sectors. Specifically, the study is aimed to discuss issues that are related to the partnership application in the health sector which includes communication, possible participants, leadership style and ethical issues that include the partnership’s mission and vision.

To be able to achieve such goals, it is important to consider and discuss a particular health issue. For that matter, the main issue targeted by the research is related to health promotion and partnership that focuses on smoking and tobacco use. Included in the issues covered are cessation promotion among people of all ages, prevention in the initiation and tobacco use among adolescents and reduction in the possible exposure to second-hand smoke.

Addressing the Health Issues in the Society

Health issues can be considered as one of the most important focus in modern society. It can be considered as a common problem in need of resolution. For that matter, the issues and problems related to public health can be perceived as one of the focus of local and international agencies and organizations, regardless of their nature, mission and visions. Both the public and the private sectors can be noted for their contribution in relation to the health of the population.

The study related to smoking and tobacco use, which is one of the problematic areas in terms of the health of the population. The importance of the health issues has developed into a deeper and more essential state through the course of history, thus, it can be considered of great importance in the present society due to the increasing dangers to the welfare and health state of the people. The importance of health care can be considered through the international organizations and movements that had achieved important roles in the society such as the primary health care (PHC) being the earliest group and the World Health Organization (WHO) which can be considered as one of the most important authorities in health issues. The importance of the attention given to the resolution of issues and problems related to health can be attributed to the areas encompassed by the health sector. This includes mainly the physical, social and emotional well-being. Aside from these attributes, even the health of the environment is considered as one of the most essential areas of research and study, specifically related to water resources, the sources of nourishment, and even income. Generally, the main focus is prevention and health promotion (Biteyi, n.d.).

Health promotion is one of the focuses of health partnerships and organization to be able to present the public with advocacy and vigilance in relation to their health. This can be undertaken through different methods, one of which is the presentation of possible ways to prevent and fight different forms of illness and health conditions. It can be related to social and political actions that target the social, environmental and economic state of both the individual and the public health (WHO, 1998).

Such an area that stresses the need for an integrated action to be able to achieve results and solutions to different health problems, smoking and tobacco use specifically, also points to the importance of partnership in health promotion to be able to prevent and cease the spread of reasons for illness. A broader and interdisciplinary view of the health sector is important, due to the fact that is related to every aspect of the society such as the social, economic, environmental and political facets (Bunton, Burrows, & Nettleton, 1995; Bunton & Macdonald, 2002).

Due to the increasing importance of the health issues in society, the important ways to maintain the welfare and proper health, promotion and partnerships in relations to prevention and cure of different diseases are undertaken. This the main issue in the study that was conducted. The importance of health promotion and partnership can be presented through different health issues but is it vital to consider an issue of immediate concern.

The Health Issues Related to Smoking and Tobacco Use

Smoking is one of the most common health-related problems in the international community which can be considered preventable but still causing significant casualties due to the diseases that it can result to. Smoking, in the present era, is in fact considered of the highest frequency compared to another period of history. The number of smokers reached its peak during the modern era. In the US, smoking and tobacco use can be considered to result in a significant number of patients and casualties on the basis of avoidable diseases (Leone, Evers-Casey & Raman, 2005; Leone, Evers-Casey & Weibel, 2005).

The Reality of Tobacco Use

Smoking and tobacco use is included in the 10 primary causes of death and mortality in relation to causes that could have been prevented. Along with smoking, the preventable causes of health problems include unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, improper sexual practices and substance abuse wherein tobacco use with alcohol and drug use (Center for the Advancement of Health, 2000).

The tobacco industry can be considered as one of the important industry in different parts of the world. Different countries rely on the industry but resolutions in medical institutions that target the welfare of the population (Givel & Glantz, 2002).

Resolutions for the Prevention and Cure of Tobacco Use

In relation to the treatment of the different health conditions, there are different methods that can be undertaken. Behavioural interventions can be considered as an essential method of treatment specifically for cases of substance abuse. This treatment procedure is related to the modification of the lifestyle of the patient, specifically those with chronic illness to be able to recover from the disease. On the other hand, even the members of the population that are not yet diagnosed, such as the members of the population can also consider the modification of their lifestyle on the basis of the effectiveness of the prevention and advocacy against the possible diseases that they can be at risk (Center for the Advancement of Health, 2000).

Aside from the said treatment the basic support system offered by different organizations can be considered as a vital need. These include the different forms of partnership and alliance conducted in the community and across different disciplines to be able to ensure the ultimate improvement of health.

Partnership and Cooperation towards the Resolution of Smoking and Tobacco Use

Through the discussion of the different treatment of tobacco use and smoking, the method of reaching the public can be considered as the vital resolution. There are varying and successive methods that can be undertaken to be able to achieve the resolutions and to prevent the continuous degradation of human health due to smoking and the use of tobacco.

Main Targets of the Partnership in Health

Aside from the ultimate goal of health partnership and promotion to be able to improve the health conditions of the general population, there are specific missions and visions that such organizations and advocacies are working for.

• Prevention of Disease

One of the main goals of the movement is the prevention of disease. In the case of smoking use, lung cancer is one of the main targets of disease prevention. Such action can be undertaken through different methods. One is the action to inhibit any additional occurrence of the disease which can be undertaken by targeting the risk factors related to the health condition. Smoking and tobacco use in a particular perspective can be considered as one of the major risk factors that are needed to be prevented. (WHO, 1998).

Another method is the undertaking of inhibitory actions against the diseases. An important method in the medical field is the continuous research and development of cure and accumulation of knowledge against a particular ailment affecting society. This can be attributed to the fact that the data and information is the weapon in advocacy. Another important method is the reduction of the effects (WHO, 1998).

• Health Education

Health education is another important target in health partnership and promotion. The concept refers to the target of the authorities to give the population a particular level of understanding and health literacy to be able to be more vigilant in relation to the health of the community and the individual. Basically, through health education, the information and data that are detrimental to the improvement of health are communicated. Aside from the said fact, the motivation and the passion can also be passed, thus, influencing others to work for a healthier community with the different aspects such as social, political and environmental facets encouraging an improved state of health (WHO, 1998).

The Major Actions Undertaken

• Advocacy for Health

The primary action that can be undertaken is the building up of the people’s interest in improving the state of human health. This can be undertaken through advocacy for health which can be defined as the actions undertaken by either a private individual or an organization with the mission of achieving consciousness for the people, political support and the action to be able to improve human health. Such actions can be undertaken by the collaboration of the public and private sectors in society. It can be considered as one of the major plans in health promotion. Incorporated in the said method are the ways to reach the public and putting the message across through different forms of media, political lobbying and community organization and mobilization (Givel & Glantz, 2002; WHO, 1998).

• Alliance

In terms of the partnerships that are needed to be able to improve the health condition of the population, the alliance is considered as another vital action in health improvement and promotion. It is referred to the union of different agencies, parties and organization to be able to achieve a common goal in relation to the status of human health. Such actions can be considered essential, especially in cases wherein there is highly characteristic and diversity in the target population. This can be attributed to different aspects such as the ethical and other issues (Pew Partnership For Civic Change, 2001; WHO, 1998).

• Establishment of Community

The community is one of the most important units in the improvement of the health of the public. The actions undertaken by the community can be considered under the partnerships in relation to health promotion and partnerships. Specifically, a community is a group that targets the improvement of the group of people residing in a common geographical setting sharing the same culture and norms, thus, influence in the group is important due to the factor of cohesiveness in the group (Pew Partnership For Civic Change, 2001; WHO, 1998).

Another type of partnership conducts community-based programs. These are groups that focused on the local members of the community situated in a particular geographical location and sharing common culture, norms and beliefs. There are different types of communities, thus the definition can be considered as not exclusive. These types include geographic communities, ethnic and racial communities, business communities and socially disadvantaged communities. These communities commonly have a common cohesive similarity that keeps them together. This is commonly the main target of the advocacies thus, enabling effective action against the use of tobacco or the prevention of the escalation and spread of its use (Community Research Institute, 2003; Give & Glantz, 2002; WHO, 1998).

• Formation of Specialized Groups

The partnership to resolve the tobacco use of the population can be classified on the basis of goals, target population and magnitude of the programs that are being undertaken. There are programs that are established to be able to target the prevention and the cessation of tobacco use and smoking in members of the population belonging to the age group 12 to 18 yrs old. These are classified under youth-oriented programs. This is important since long time smokers adopted the habit during middle school and high school (Community Research Institute, 2003).

The formation of national and state programs is comparable to that in the community but can be considered of wider coverage. In the community-based partnership, the objectives of the organization can be considered of simpler nature. This can be attributed to the fact that they possess less diversity compared to the national context aside from the fact that a larger geographical area is covered (Community Research Institute, 2003).

Another action that can be undertaken is the provision of the different resources that can be considered as important to the success of the advocacy for the cessation of tobacco use. One is the provision of medical support such as quit hit. These are supports to be able to quit the habit. Another method that can be undertaken is the presentation of alternative cessation. This includes alternative medicine to be able to stop the use of tobacco and the practice of smoking. The methods that are included are acupuncture, stress management and hypnosis to be able to cease the habit of smoking. Acupuncture and hypnosis can be considered as alternative medication while stress management can be considered included in the behavioural intervention that is one of the most important ways in the treatment of bad habits (Community Research Institute, 2003; Give & Glantz, 2002; WHO, 1998).

Recommendations by the authorities in another field of specialization can be considered as important in the cessation of tobacco use. One is related to the heart disease authorities, which can be considered to be affected by smoking and tobacco use e.g. American Heart Association. Also, related agencies with the same advocacy are the association for the study of lung diseases, the US public health service, etc. Another is the provision of prescription medication to be able to achieve the treatment necessary e.g. by Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals. Other products may include gums, patches, inhalers, nasal sprays and lozenges that help the patients overcome the need and the hunger for nicotine. Project Rehab is an example of an institution that focuses on the residential cessation program that incorporates different aspects of the intervention (Community Research Institute, 2003; Give & Glantz, 2002; WHO, 1998).

Cases Studies on Partnership against Tobacco Use

• Partnership in Florida

One of the studies that focused on the partnership against the use of tobacco and smoking was undertaken in Florida. The main groups of the society that was tapped are the youth to be able to develop the actions against the use of tobacco. Through the said method, the youth will be able to achieve an understanding of the danger of tobacco use and the importance of public and individual health. The stress in collaboration and partnership is also the main goal of the project. Through the study then, the importance of the partnership in the success of the projects undertaken was presented (Dorman, 1999).

• Tobacco Free Partners

The Tobacco-Free Partners (TFP) is another important organization and partnership that is focused on the cessation of the use of tobacco and smoking in the international community. In the conference conducted in August 2001, the Strategic Planning Committee that was developed and organized had expressed the four main goals in the TFP’s Strategic Plan (Community Research Institute, 2003).

One is the importance of coalition building which can be considered as the main goal and strategy in health partnerships. Also, it is important to demonstrate evaluative success in terms of the collaborative actions of the members of the group. The decrease in the use of tobacco in the communities that are covered by the partnership is the most important goal. This is undertaken by the organization through the prevention of tobacco use, the targeting of tobacco treatment to be able to achieve the cessation of its use and the magnification of the advocacy to be able to achieve the goals specifically through the community-based method of action (Community Research Institute, 2003).

In terms of cases of tobacco cessation and reformation, follow-up study and guidance is another important action to prevent recurrence of smoking and tobacco use. The TFP and the actions that were undertaken can be considered as one of the examples that can be cited in the study of partnerships to be able to achieve the cessation of tobacco use. The organization is composed of 95 members, 34 community agencies and 12 medical directors as consultants (Community Research Institute, 2003).

Ways in Creating Community Partnerships

One of the researches that focused on the partnerships and their benefits in the resolution of the problems related to smoking and tobacco use was conducted in the US in Florida. To be able to have a successful strategy to prevent and resolve the issues in relation to tobacco use, an in-depth study on the different methods in partnership and research (Dorman, 1999).

Partnerships in the community can be attributed to cooperation in the local surroundings. The purposes can be attributed to the accomplishments in relation to different projects that are undertaken. The main essence of partnerships can be related to the achievement of a common goal that can be considered beneficial to the entire group and population. Due to the main foundations of a community, it can be considered as one of the most important units in human health promotions and partnerships. A community works on the basis of synergy and integrated association, thus, can be considered as the basic unit of partnership in terms of the achievement of a common goal (Community Research Institute, 2003; Dorman, 1999; Give & Glantz, 2002; WHO, 1998).

Success in the implementation can be achieved in the proper information dissemination, thus, networking and collaboration are required. Collaboration is required to be able to resolve the different issues and problems that can be faced. Also, another function that can be attributed is in terms of leadership in relation to the mission and the vision of the organization. Also, the involvement in the partnerships and organization that are addressed to resolve the problems in health specifically in relation to smoking and tobacco use can be co0nsidered as one of the most important actions and functions of advocacy that can be classified under the said nature. Aside from the improvement in the actions that can be undertaken and the unified attainment of the goals, the knowledge that can be assimilated in the group can empower the members (Dorman, 1999).

There are important attributes that can be considered essential in the members of the health partnerships and promotions. One is the interest in the cause of the organization and the partnership. This can be considered as a vital attribute due to the fact that the attainment of the goals of organizations to be able to achieve the decrease in smokers and the cessation of the use of tobacco can be considered as a hard challenge to overcome. Such a goal needed to given an extensive amount of energy and work due to the fact that a larger part of the population in the present era is known to be involved in smoking and even the use of tobacco (Dorman, 1999).

To be able to succeed then it is important that every individual member of different organizations, both national and international and even the private and the public sectors possess the dedication to be able to overcome the hardships and challenges on the road to the achievement of the goals of the organization. The undertaking in relation to the missions and the visions of the organization can be considered as a noble action, thus, credibility and responsibility of actions are required. This can be cited in the fight against smoking (Dorman, 1999).

People who fight against smoking and who work for the achievement of a smoker-free community should set the required characteristic of being a non-smoker. Knowledge related to different aspects of the society that can be related to the fight against smoking and tobacco use, specifically the legal and political aspects that are important species in the formalization of the actions that are undertaken (Dorman, 1999).

The establishment of partnerships is also one of the most important motivations to be able to continue the fight against smoking and the use of tobacco. It is also important to be able to achieve ample financial resources to be able to undertake the planned goals of the organization. The most important strategy of action is through subdivisions and the functioning of workgroups. Through this, the goals can be segregated and be achieved by specialized groups that can focus on the specific needs and aspects of the actions undertaken. An example that can be cited is the Florida tobacco Prevention Partnerships which was initiated in 1998 (Dorman, 1999).

The Issues Related to Smoking and Tobacco Use

The study is based on the importance of the cessation of tobacco use in the improvement of the health of the public. There are important projected advantages and effects of the fight against the smoking and use of tobacco.

One of the most important effects is the decrease in health-related effects. This can be attributed to the reduction in the different diseases that can be caused by the use of tobacco such as heart diseases, cancer, asthma and cardiac problems. This can ultimately reduce the incidence related to smoking. Another important effect is the improvement of oral health that can be considered to deteriorate due to the use of tobacco (Dorman, 1999).

Upon the cessation and the decrease of use of tobacco, society can be considered as a better place to live in. An improvement in the quality of life can occur through different aspects. One is through the decrease in the health expenses due to reduction in the risk factor specifically for second-hand smokers. Another is the increase in the capability for the people to undertake their works and activities. These effects can generally lead to the prevention of loss in resources (Dorman, 1999; Forastieri, n.d.)

The advocacy to cease the use of tobacco is also considered an important action to protect the family. This is related to the issue of second-hand smoking. The problem of increasing the frequency of smokers can be considered a serious matter in itself. But it is still magnified a number of folds by the effects that can be suffered by the non-smoking population that are in close contact with the people who smoke. This can be attributed to the fact that greater effects are blown by the smokers toward the non-smokers. The objectives of the partnership on the belief of the importance of the non-smoking policies will also benefit the different aspects of an individual such as education and lifestyle.

Generally, the quality of life will be greatly improved. This can be attributed to the decrease in the casualties of the diseases and the decrease in affected individuals. The different aspects of the personality of a person will also be benefited. This can be attributed to the prevention of emotional stress that can lead to physical problems and ailments. The interaction between the family members and the community will also be improved.

Conclusion

Through the study that was conducted, there are different concepts that are needed to be given stress. In the case of the problems of the individuals, it is better to seek help from others. This can be related to the fact that every community is composed of individuals. Although this is the case the general welfare and the state of public health are the most important in the perspective of the community.

Due to the said notion, the partnership is developed and established through the international community to be able to improve and safeguard the health of the public, the general population. The specified goals and the targets of these organizations are undertaken to better provide for the needs of the people. Thus, there are services that can be made available to people with different needs and problems that require support systems.

Based on the specific study undertaken involving smoking and tobacco use, the concern for the individual, the community and the international health are needed to be inculcated to the public to be able to improve the state. It is important to consider that human health is not the priority in nature for there are other organisms. It is time to focus on the partnerships related to the improvement of the health of other organisms that human needs for survival

References

1. Beck, C. S., DuPrae, A., and Ragan, S. L. (1997) Partnership for Health: Building Relationships between Women and Health Caregivers. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
2. Biteyi, R. (n.d.) Human health and resources management: AMREF experience. Nairobi, Kenya: African Medical Research Foundation.
3. Brundtland, G. H. (2003) Ninth International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) Keynote Address. Berlin: WHO.
4. Bunton, R. Burrows, R. and Nettleton, S. (1995) The Sociology of Health Promotion: Critical Analyses of Consumption, Lifestyle, and Risk. New York: Routledge.
5. Bunton, R. and Macdonald, G. (2002) Health Promotion: Disciplines, Diversity, and Development. London: Routledge.
6. Center for the Advancement of Health (2000) Health Behavior Change in Managed Care A Status Report: Selected Evidence for Beahavioral Risk Reduction in Clinical Settings in Smoking. Florida: Center for the Advancement of Health.
7. Community Research Institute (2003) Project GAP Environmental Scan: Tobacco Free Partners. Grand Valley State University.
8. Dorman, S. (1999) Hand in Hand: Community Partnership and Tobacco Use Prevention. Tobacco Control Research Digest, 1999.
9. Ershoff, D. H., Ashford, T. H. and Goldenberg, R. L. (2004) Helping pregnant women quit smoking: An overview. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 6 (2), S101-S105.
10. Forastieri, V. (n.d.) Occupational Health Services at the Workplace. International Labour Organization (ILO): Programme on Safety, Health and the Environment.
11. Givel, M. S. and Glantz, S. A. (2002) Political Reform and Tobacco Control Policy Making in Mississippi From 1990 to 2001. Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education Tobacco Control Policy Making: United States. San Francisco: University of California.
12. Gold, W. R., Manning, T. and Street, Jr., R. L. (1997) Health Promotion and Interactive Technology: Theoretical Applications and Future Directions. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
13. ILO (2003) ILO Guidelines on Tobacco Smoke in the Workplace. [online]. Web.
14. Leone, F. T. Evers-Casey, S. K. and Raman, T. (2005) Effective tobacco use treatment strategies for the office practice. Counter Details, 2005, 2-6.
15. Leone, F. T. Evers-Casey, S. K. and Weibel, S. B. (2005) Integrating tobacco use treatment into your practice. Counter Details, 2005, 2-6.
16. Macdonald, T. H. (1998) Rethinking Health Promotion: A Global Approach. London: Routledge.
17. Pew Partnership For Civic Change (2001) Wanted Solutions for America: What We Know Works. Charlottesville, VA: University of Richmond.
18. Platt, S. and Watson, J. (2000) Researching Health Promotion. London: Routledge.
19. Robinson, R. G., Sutton, C. D., James, D. A. and Orleans, C. T. (n.d.) Pathways to Freedom: Winning the Fight Against Tobacco. Department of Health and Human Services.
20. Secretariat of the Pacific Community International (2007). Public Health Programme. [online]. SPC Intl.
21. The Tobacco Task Force (1999) Blueprint for a Tobacco-Free Vermont: Final Report. 1999. Tobacco Task Force.
22. TWN (2007) TWN Info Service on Health Issues: WHA forms working group on IPRs and health R & D. [online].
23. WHO (1998). Health Promotion Glossary. Geneva: WHO.
24. WHO (2003) Fifty-sixth world health assembly: Intellectual property rights, innovation and public health. World Health Organization.
25. Wilcox, D. (n.d.) The Guide to Development Trusts and Partnerships. [online]. London; Partnerships Online. Web.