Sabine Bätzing, Drug Commissioner of the Federal Government, says: “Nowadays smoking is the most avoidable health risk. Nevertheless, almost one third of the German population smokes. This is a good enough reason to release the first German Tobacco Atlas with all facts as to smoking. The vast regional differences in smoking habits and tobacco related mortality clearly demonstrate the need for tobacco prevention to continue to be on top of the political agenda."
The Chairman and Scientific Director of the German Cancer Research Center Prof. Otmar D. Wiestler declares: “Informing the public comprehensively about the number one risk of cancer is one of the top priorities of the German Cancer Research Center. The Tobacco Atlas offers a quick and comprehensive overview to the societal problem of tobacco use in Germany. It is a clearly arranged handbook for political decision makers, government officials, journalists and health professionals."
The Tobacco Atlas gives a comprehensive overview of the smoking habits in Germany. Using illustrative maps and graphs, complemented by short concise texts, it not only shows differences on regional level, but also illustrates the differences related to social determinants, gender and age, as well as the subsequent regional effects on tobacco related mortality. It also describes the variety of tobacco products, their additives and characteristics, as well as the consequences of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. Additionally, the handbook gives an insight to the individual and societal costs of tobacco smoke, and provides an overview to tobacco plantation, production, trade and distribution.
The Tobacco Atlas also presents a wide range of effective tobacco control measures, which were agreed and adopted in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. By 2009 this international treaty has been signed and ratified by over 160 nations -- including Germany. The handbook highlights which measures need to be implemented in Germany in order to fully comply with the convention. The vast regional differences in smoking habits and tobacco related mortality suggest the need for the development and implementation of measures directed to the respective regional requirements.
Reference:
- The Tabacco Atlas is available as a PDF file for download at www.tabakkontrolle.de
- Journalists will receive the handbook free of charge at the Press Office of the German Cancer Research Center at presse@dkfz.de
- The “Tabakatlas Deutschland 2009" has been published at the Steinkopff-Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-7985-1882-7) and is available at the German book trade for 19,95 €.