BACKGROUND: The global tobacco epidemic persists as a public health crisis, causing millions of preventable deaths and immeasurable suffering each year. While current tobacco control efforts have achieved significant progress, they have yet to achieve the ultimate goal of a tobacco-free world. This necessitates a paradigm shift, re-framing tobacco control not merely as a public health issue, but as a fundamental human rights concern.
METHODS: This conceptual analysis delves into the practices of the tobacco industry, examining them through the lens of human rights violations. It specifically focuses on how the industry systematically undermines the right to health, the right to life, and the right to self-determination. The analysis draws upon a comprehensive review of existing literature in human rights law, public health, and tobacco control. It critically assesses international human rights treaties, national legislation, and legal precedents related to tobacco control, identifying opportunities to integrate human rights principles into more effective tobacco control strategies.
RESULTS: (Anticipated): Framing tobacco control within a human rights framework is expected to:
* Elevate the moral imperative: Positioning tobacco control within the discourse of social justice and human dignity.
* Broaden the advocacy base: Engage human rights organizations, legal experts, and social justice advocates in the fight against tobacco.
* Strengthen legal arguments: Provide a basis for legal challenges against the tobacco industry, holding them accountable for violations.
* Mobilize public support: Connect with values of fairness and justice, increasing support for stronger policies.
CONCLUSIONS: Embracing a human rights framework can reinvigorate the fight against tobacco. This approach can accelerate progress towards a tobacco-free world, ensuring the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights for all.