2010 Louise Lown Heart Hero Award

Olavarria Tobacco Programme crowned winner

The 2010 Louise Lown Heart Hero Award was this year awarded to the Olavarria: Tobacco Free City programme. Olavarria is a city in the centre of the Buenos Aires province. The programme is a city-run, community-focused tobacco advocacy, education and support scheme, which was started in 2004 with the aim of increasing tobacco regulation. The programme has been a huge success, which Dr Raul Pitarque, the programme’s director, credits to community support: ‘Implementation of health policies is possible when there is political decision with great support from relevant stakeholders and the community.’ To ensure the continuation of the programme, community programmes are held every month and businesses and institutions periodically recommit their smoke-free policies publicly. Community support and the success this generates is seen here to be derived from a variety sources such as schools, businesses, institutions, clubs, community groups, health professionals and politicians. A recent study of the two-year old smoking ban found 95% of bars and restaurants were in compliance with the law and 98% of employees were happy with the new regulations. Working with those traditionally opposed to tobacco regulation has proven to lead to the greatest success.

The result of the programme thus far has been that bars and restaurants on Olavarria are 100% tobacco-free, as well as in many shopping centres. In addition, 60 health workers, 50 teachers and 350 students received tobacco-related training, with eight tobacco health centres having been established. From looking at local health data, the impact of the programme has been vast for Olavarria. In 2005 33% of adults used tobacco and almost half of the mortality rate was attributed to chronic diseases which can be caused by tobacco use such as stroke, hypertension and cancer. Since the implementation of the programme, the overall adult smoking prevalence in Olavarria decreased by 18% over four years and local hospitals saw a 30% decrease in CVD-related visits. The work of the programme is far from over and it continues to make vast developments. In early August a ban on smoking on university campuses was enacted and Dr Raul Pitarque is planning to bring Olavarria’s successful model to neighboring cities.

Source: ProCor News, 17 August 2010.

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