Public Awareness about Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Tehran

The global tobacco epidemic is currently responsible for 5.2 million morbidity and mortality per year seventy percent of which occur in developing countries. Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first international public health treaty ratified by all countries in order to encounter the ever-growing tobacco epidemic. This study was designed to evaluate the public awareness of Tehran residents about FCTC. This was a cross-sectional study and sampling was performed in main city centers during the years 2007-2008 by using non-probability sampling method. The questionnaires were designed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and IUATLD standard questionnaires and a total of 2053 individuals were questioned. Of the participants, 47.2% had experienced smoking (55.5% of men and 28.8% of women). The frequency of daily cigarette consumption was 22/7% (29/7% of men and 7% of women) (P<0.001). Forty-six percent of the participants had experienced hookah (50% of men and 36/8% of women) (P=0.0000). A total of 184 individuals (9%) were aware of FCTC among which, 35 individuals (19%) who comprised 1/7% of the total understudy population claimed to have a complete knowledge regarding some details. Awareness about FCTC was 5.1% among those with an educational level equal or below high school diploma. This rate was 14.9% in those with a bachelor’s degree and 33.3% (more than twice the rate) in those with higher educational levels (P<0.001). Prevalence of smoking was found to be higher in our study compared to similar studies. Higher level of education was significantly associated with greater awareness regarding FCTC. The overall public awareness was low and implementation of public awareness programs regarding FCTC is necessary. (Tanaffos 2009; 8(4): 26-32)