The role of public participation in public health initiatives: An analysis of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Abstract

This is a content analysis of 489 written documents and 142 hearing testimonies, submitted to the World Health Organisation (WHO), regarding the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) during the comment period of 2000. Our aim was to consider the benefits and limitations of inviting public participation. We found that, overall, those who offered commentary were in support of the FCTC and any ensuing treaty, especially if it protected children. The minority who opposed the treaty argued that restrictions on tobacco trade would further damage the economies of poor nations that are financially dependent upon tobacco. The FCTC that was adopted at the World Health Assembly in May 2003 addressed many of the concerns raised by the public in written commentary and hearing testimony: children and youth; advertising and sponsorship; tobacco product labelling; second-hand smoke; taxes; smuggling; liability; tobacco product regulation; and the involvement of non-government organisations (NGOs). We conclude that the benefits of public participation in public health policy formation are numerous, including levelling the playing field for public health activists and NGOs, building the expertise of advocates that can be generalised to other public health efforts, giving the political process legitimacy and credibility, as well as coalition building and grassroots momentum.

Keywords:

• public participation
• NGO advocacy
• tobacco control

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Chitra Subramaniam-Duella, Emma Fitzpatrick, and Helen Green of External Relations, Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO, for their assistance with data acquisition; and Erika Campbell and Lisa A. Hansen of the University of California-San Francisco, for transcribing and data management. Many thanks to Patricia Rieker of Boston University for thought-provoking commentary on an earlier draft. This project was funded by a contract with the World Health Organisation.