Building capacity for implementation of the framework convention for tobacco control in Vietnam: lessons for developing countries

Health Promot Int. 2014 Sep;29(3):442-53. doi: 10.1093/heapro/dat005. Epub 2013 Feb 14.

Abstract

Effective implementation of the WHO international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the key to controlling the tobacco epidemic. Within countries, strong national tobacco control capacity is the primary determinant for successful implementation of the FCTC. This case study of tobacco control policy describes the experience of building national tobacco control capacity in Vietnam under the Reduce Smoking in Vietnam Partnership project within a national capacity-building framework. In the Vietnam experience, four components of tobacco control capacity emerged as especially important to achieve 'quality' outputs and measurable outcomes at the implementation level: (i) organizational structure/infrastructure; (ii) leadership and expertise; (iii) partnerships and networks and (iv) data and evidence from research. The experience gained in this project helps in adapting our tobacco control capacity-building model, and the lessons that emerged from this country case study can provide guidance to global funders, tobacco control technical assistance providers and nations as governments endeavor to meet their commitment to the FCTC.

Keywords: Asia; capacity building; developing countries; tobacco control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Capacity Building*
  • Developing Countries
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • National Health Programs / organization & administration*
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Social Control, Formal*
  • Vietnam / epidemiology
  • World Health Organization