Which countries are the best in tobacco control? A quantitative analysis of the MPOWER 2017

Abstract

# Background The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a package of advice to countries including six main policies (MPOWER) to control tobacco use. Our objective was to perform a quantitative analysis of MPOWER in countries and regions to create competition between parties. # Methods This cross-sectional study was based on the MPOWER data 2017, with countries assessed using a validated check list of 10 criteria (possible maximum score 37). The scores were summed and presented in a descending order for 6 regions. # Results The 23 countries which had at least 85% of total score (i.e., at least 32 from 37) were: United Kingdom, Turkey and Costa Rica (36); Brazil, Panama and Australia (35), Surinam, Colombia, Iran and New Zealand (34); Portugal, Russia, Ireland, Seychelles, Mauritius, Canada, Uruguay and Argentina (33); and Romania, Estonia, Denmark, Spain and Norway (32). # Conclusions These 23 countries may present as the best model. Comparison of scores of different countries in this respect can be beneficial since it creates a challenge for the countries to achieve a higher rank.