Linking Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): the case for the Seychelles

Tobacco control has been recognized as a main public health concern in Seychelles for the past two decades. Tobacco advertising, sponsoring and promotion has been banned for years, tobacco products are submitted to high taxes, high-profile awareness programs are organized regularly, and several other control measures have been implemented. The Republic of Seychelles was the first country to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the African region. Three population-based surveys have been conducted in adults in Seychelles and results showed a substantial decrease in the prevalence of smoking among adults between 1989 and 2004. A first survey in adolescents was conducted in Seychelles in 2002 (the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, GYTS) in a representative sample of 1321 girls and boys aged 13-15 years. The results show that approximately half of students had tried smoking and a quarter of both boys and girls had smoked at least one cigarette during the past 30 days. Although "current smoking" is defined differently in adolescents (>or=1 cigarette during the past 30 days) and in adults (>or=1 cigarette per day), which precludes direct comparison, the high smoking prevalence in youth in Seychelles likely predicts an increasing prevalence of tobacco use in the next adult generation, particularly in women. GYTS 2002 also provides important data on a wide range of specific individual and societal factors influencing tobacco use. Hence, GYTS can be a powerful tool for monitoring the situation of tobacco use in adolescents, for highlighting the need for new policy and programs, and for evaluating the impact of current and future programs.

Clarification of the Meaning of "Beneficial Owner" in the OECD Model Tax Convention: Comment on the April 2011 Discussion Draft

In April 2011, the OECD released an important discussion draft that is intended to clarify the meaning of the term "beneficial ownership" under articles 10, 11 and 12 of the OECD Model (2010). This article discusses these proposals and demonstrates that some refinement is necessary.

Convention-cadre pour la lutte antitabac: un instrument puissant de santé publique. [The Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC): a powerful public health instrument].

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) isa global and comprehensive legal framework for reducing demand for tobacco (e.g. price measures; ban on smoking in enclosed places; contents of tobacco products; packaging and labeling; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; liability, tobacco cessation, etc.) and supply (e.g. illicit trade; sales to/by minors, etc.). Adopted in 2003, the FCTC has been ratified by 174 countries so far. Switzerland has signed the treaty in 2004 but ratification will necessitate the implementation of stronger tobacco control measures at the national level. The FCTC is a priority of any strategy to reduce noncommunicable diseases in populations. Broad implementation of the FCTC has the potential to prevent a substantial proportion of the billion of tobacco-related deaths expected in the 21st

New considerations on the management of osteoporosis in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): summary of the "3rd Summit on Osteoporosis-CEE", November 2009, Budapest, Hungary.

INTRODUCTION: In November 2009, the "3rd Summit on Osteoporosis-Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)" was held in Budapest, Hungary. The conference aimed to tackle issues regarding osteoporosis management in CEE identified during the second CEE summit in 2008 and to agree on approaches that allow most efficient and cost-effective diagnosis and therapy of osteoporosis in CEE countries in the future. DISCUSSION: The following topics were covered: past year experience from FRAX® implementation into local diagnostic algorithms; causes of secondary osteoporosis as a FRAX® risk factor; bone turnover markers to estimate bone loss, fracture risk, or monitor therapies; role of quantitative ultrasound in osteoporosis management; compliance and economical aspects of osteoporosis; and osteoporosis and genetics. Consensus and recommendations developed on these topics are summarised in the present progress report. CONCLUSION: Lectures on up-to-date data of topical interest, the distinct regional provenances of the participants, a special focus on practical aspects, intense mutual exchange of individual experiences, strong interest in cross-border cooperations, as well as the readiness to learn from each other considerably contributed to the establishment of these recommendations. The "4th Summit on Osteoporosis-CEE" held in Prague, Czech Republic, in December 2010 will reveal whether these recommendations prove of value when implemented in the clinical routine or whether further improvements are still required.