BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Over the past 20 years, a collaborative research initiative coordinated by the Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS) has engaged over 50 researchers and decision-makers across Latin American countries—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Honduras—as well as Nigeria and India. This initiative evaluates the burden of disease attributable to smoking and examines the economic and health impacts of MPOWER interventions. It was designed to generate high-quality information to support the implementation of MPOWER public policies.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: The project addressed these challenges through regional collaboration and robust evidence generation, including the disease burden and health and economic analyses of tobacco tax increases, plain packaging, smoke-free environments, and advertising bans. Locally tailored resources, such as infographics with country-specific data, local-language policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications, empowered policymakers to design and implement policies. Additionally, webinars and policy dialogues enhanced advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The project produced evidence on the tobacco-attributable burden of disease and economic costs of tobacco use, as well as the expected impact of MPOWER interventions. Over 19 peer-reviewed publications and more than 200 documents in various formats, including infographics and policy briefs targeting decision-makers and other specific audiences, were developed, supporting public policies in multiple countries. Multi-country papers and regional policy dialogues have advanced global and regional tobacco control agendas. The study’s findings have been featured in over 600 mass media appearances across Latin America and Nigeria, achieving significant local visibility and political positioning of tobacco control, and were recognized with the WHO Non-Tobacco Day award.
CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration is essential to advancing tobacco control policies. This project showcases an evidence-based advocacy model that leverages regional expertise, engages stakeholders, and promotes MPOWER policies globally.