The power of WHO epistemic communities: The “tobacco epidemic” as construct

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this article is to present the idea that the tobacco epidemic, included in the World Health Organization's (WHO) documents, may have contributed to the success of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The tobacco epidemic as a construct was present in internal and official WHO documentation as well as in scientific publications of the tobacco control‐oriented scientists who constituted the anti‐tobacco epistemic community. Using a qualitative approach, I analyzed three sets of texts to describe the features of the tobacco epidemic and how it may have contributed to the success of the FCTC. The methodology of the analysis was based on the sociological concept of medicalization. I argue that by virtue of medicalized framing in the case of the FCTC, the WHO was able to influence the debate on tobacco control.Related ArticlesLuján José, Luis. 2023. “Evidence‐Based Policies: Lessons from Regulatory Science.” Politics & Policy 51(4): 524–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12543.Newman, Joshua. 2019. “The Role of Uncertainty in Regulating E‐Cigarettes: The Emergence of a Regulatory Regime, 2005‐15.” Politics & Policy 47(2): 407–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12294.Roberts, Alex N. 2023. “The Scientization of Public Policy and Politics: A New Approach to Conceptualizing and Identifying the Phenomenon.” Politics & Policy 51(5): 726–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12548.