WHO contributes to development of Green Paper on tobacco policy in Estonia

In early 2012 the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs initiated development of a Green Paper on tobacco policy with the aim of creating a detailed national roadmap for tobacco control. The Ministry has asked WHO/Europe to provide technical advice based on recent global and regional evidence – including scientific studies, guidelines, best practices and experiences from other countries. The objective is to ensure that the proposed tobacco control measures are evidence based and to support policy-makers in the negotiation process with stakeholders by providing them with arguments to demonstrate the efficacy and effectiveness of tobacco control measures.

The technical advice from WHO will thereby contribute to development of the country's tobacco policy and help policy-makers implement recommendations derived from the Joint national capacity assessment of tobacco control policies in Estonia completed in 2011 by the Ministry of Social Affairs in collaboration with WHO/Europe. The collated evidence and arguments are expected to form part of the explanatory note of the Green Paper on tobacco policy.