Building capacity for applied research to reduce tobacco-related harm in low- and middle-income countries: the Tobacco Control Capacity Programme (TCCP)

Fiona Dobbie; Noreen Mdege; Fiona Davidson; Kamran Siddiqi; Jeff Collin; Rumana Huque; Ellis Owusudabo; Corne van Walbeek; Linda Bauld

doi:10.29392/joghr.3.e2019055

Building capacity for applied research to reduce tobacco-related harm in low- and middle-income countries: the Tobacco Control Capacity Programme (TCCP)

J Glob Health Rep. 2019 Aug 1:3:e2019055. doi: 10.29392/joghr.3.e2019055. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Fiona Dobbie^{1

2}, Noreen Mdege³, Fiona Davidson^{1

2}, Kamran Siddiqi³, Jeff Collin^{2

4}, Rumana Huque⁵, Ellis Owusudabo⁶, Corne van Walbeek⁷, Linda Bauld^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Usher Institute, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
² UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, Nottingham, UK.
³ Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
⁴ Global Public Health Unit, Social Policy, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
⁵ Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
⁶ Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ashanti, Ghana.
⁷ School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. By 2030, more than 80% of these tobacco-related deaths will occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of the Tobacco Control Capacity Programme (TCCP) therefore, is to reduce tobacco-related mortality and morbidity by building research capacity in LMICs.

Methods: A consortium of fifteen partner organisations across eight countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, South Africa, the Gambia, Uganda and the UK) will offer extensive research methods and leadership training opportunities to conduct high quality research projects on policy and practice and establish strong research partnerships. An example of one such study using a mixed method design to investigate tobacco industry interference in Uganda is presented.

Results: The TCCP programme will produce research that can inform policies and practice within countries to prevent or reduce tobacco use. By conducting research in three key areas (tobacco taxation, reducing illicit trade, and addressing tobacco industry interference, as well as other local priorities) the programme will help to reduce tobacco disease and death and also generate revenue for governments through taxation which aids other development priorities. While conducting research in LMICs on these themes TCCP will provide evidence to support better implementation of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Controls (FCTC), which will result in reductions in tobacco-related mortality and morbidity and also help generate revenue for governments through taxation which aids other development priorities.

Conclusion: The TCCP programme will create a cohort of skilled early-career researchers and research leaders who will build cohesive and successful research teams in LMICs. It will also create several collaborative networks of researchers, policy-makers and advocates to co-produce context-specific research on tobacco control and its translation into policy. This will advance implementation science in LMICs and improve population health. By generating context-specific evidence, the TCCP will support advocacy efforts to shift attitudes within communities and governments towards a stronger tobacco control. Policy makers will be assisted by the evidence generated in this programme to challenge aggressive tobacco industry tactics and implement effective tobacco control.

Abstract

Grants and funding