Issues Trinidad and Tobago

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago. Every year, more than 990 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 680 children (10-14 years old) and 145720 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco each day. Complacencyin the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Trinidad and Tobago and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow everyyear. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

22.3%Even though fewer men smoke on average inTrinidad and Tobago than on average in high-HDIcountries, there are still more than 117600 menwho smoke cigarettes each day, making it anongoing and dire public health threat.

Female

5.1%More women smoke in Trinidad and Tobago thanon average in high-HDI countries.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

0.98%Even though fewer boys smoke in Trinidad andTobago than on average in high-HDI countries,there are still more than 400 boys who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoing and direpublic health threat.

Girls

0.54%Even though fewer girls smoke in Trinidad andTobago than on average in high-HDI countries,there are still more than 200 girls who smokecigarettes each day, making it sign of an ongoingand dire public health threat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

12.46%Even though fewer men die from tobacco inTrinidad and Tobago than on average in high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 15 men everyweek, necessitating action from policymakers.

Female

4.53%Even though fewer women die from tobacco inTrinidad and Tobago than on average in high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 4 women everyweek, necessitating action from policymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Trinidad and Tobago amounts to1858 million dollar. This includes direct costs related to healthcareexpenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivity due toearly mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

0.4% Even though fewer people use smokeless tobacco on averagein Trinidad and Tobago than on average in high-HDIcountries, 4200 people still currently use smokeless tobacco,indicating an ongoing public health challenge, includingheightened levels of oral cancers.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobacco companies in2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 1534% larger than the GrossNational Income of Trinidad and Tobago. The industry is a powerfulforce that does not fear the actions of nation-states because of theirextensive resources and global market power.

Growing

There were less than 1000 metric tons of tobaccoproduced in Trinidad and Tobago in 2014.Tobacco growing is only a small fraction ofagriculture in Trinidad and Tobago, with only0.24% of agricultural land devoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

n/a

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Solutions Trinidad and Tobago

Current Policy in Trinidad andTobagoProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free is the bestpractice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor Public Places Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Trinidad and Tobago

14.6%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 No

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program n/a

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience n/a

Target Audience Research Was Conducted n/a

Aired On Television And/Or Radio n/a

Utilized Media Planning n/a

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign n/a

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation n/a

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness n/a

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

3/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

2/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

High

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Billboard and outdooradvertising

Indirect bans

• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry ofevents, activities, individuals

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