Major political and social changes in central and eastern European (CEE) countries offer new opportunities and challenges in tobacco control. Action against tobacco in CEE countries is part of an overall European strategy, the action plan for a tobacco-free Europe. Several CEE countries have voiced their concern about the deterioration of tobacco control and about the entry of the international tobacco industry. In response, the Regional Office has set up a framework for an international task force. The core of the task force consists of the EURO staff and a special consultant. Several European countries and organizations have already expressed their willingness to joint the task force by seconding an expert to participate in the country missions and consensus conferences. This paper describes particular steps to implement the action plan in central and eastern Europe. It outlines priority action to be carried out by the CEE countries themselves and describes possibilities for assistance by all European countries. A key role is assigned to a European alliance on tobacco or health to create psychological and material prerequisites for action as well as act in an advisory role. Some of the projects are already underway, but they can be considerably strengthened by extra resources and support. Some of the projects are possible only with new resources. The project proposals are classified according to the six areas of the new action plan but presented in a different order. This paper sets out a range of activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Environmental Health Europe