Phetphum Chakkraphan, Wangwonsin Artittaya, Keeratisiroj Orawan, Jariya Wutthichai
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Tobacco Control Research Unit, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Tob Induc Dis. 2025 May 10;23. doi: 10.18332/tid/203935. eCollection 2025.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has been aligned with Thailand's National Tobacco Control Strategy (NTCS), which has been implemented for over three decades. However, policy evaluation is essential to improve its effectiveness. This formative evaluation study aims to identify challenges and provide suggestions for implementing the current NTCS 2022-2027 at both national and operational levels.
Data collection for this qualitative research involved document reviews and in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze data from 15 informants who were purposively selected based on their influential positions, expertise, and experience in NTCS implementation.
Thailand's NTCS operates through both national and operational stakeholders. The findings revealed multifaceted challenges and suggestions across these levels, categorized into six key areas. First, the gaps in strategic coordination and prioritization reinforced the need to strengthen intersectoral partnerships to achieve tobacco control as a national priority. Second, problems with monitoring as well as evaluation and reporting processes highlighted the need for clearly defined key performance indicators and timelines. Third, role clarity-related gaps at the 'tobacco control focal point' revealed a need for capacity building and strategic management support. Fourth, policy dissemination was impeded by one-way communication modes, emphasizing the importance of two-way communication to foster stakeholder engagement. Fifth, centralized budget management hindered ready matching of resources with regional needs, urging the implementation of decentralized management. Finally, the lack of innovation in tobacco control challenges demonstrated the need for knowledge-sharing mechanisms.
The evaluation offers important insights to strengthen NTCS implementation through enhanced coordination, systematic monitoring, capacity development, policy dissemination, allocation of adequate funds, and promoting innovations. These results contribute to the evidence base for effective tobacco control strategy by providing tangible recommendations for policymakers.
世界卫生组织《烟草控制框架公约》已与泰国的国家烟草控制战略（NTCS）保持一致，该战略已实施三十多年。然而，政策评估对于提高其有效性至关重要。这项形成性评估研究旨在识别挑战，并为在国家和运营层面实施当前的2022 - 2027年国家烟草控制战略提供建议。
这项定性研究的数据收集包括文件审查和使用半结构化访谈指南进行的深入访谈。主题分析用于识别和分析来自15名信息提供者的数据，这些信息提供者是根据他们在国家烟草控制战略实施中的有影响力的职位、专业知识和经验有目的地挑选出来的。
泰国的国家烟草控制战略通过国家和运营层面的利益相关者来实施。研究结果揭示了这些层面多方面的挑战和建议，分为六个关键领域。第一，战略协调和优先排序方面的差距强化了加强部门间伙伴关系以将烟草控制作为国家优先事项的必要性。第二，监测以及评估和报告过程中的问题突出了明确关键绩效指标和时间表的必要性。第三，“烟草控制协调人”在角色清晰度方面的差距表明需要能力建设和战略管理支持。第四，单向沟通模式阻碍了政策传播，强调了双向沟通对于促进利益相关者参与的重要性。第五，集中式预算管理阻碍了资源与区域需求的及时匹配，敦促实施分散式管理。最后，烟草控制方面缺乏创新挑战表明需要知识共享机制。
该评估提供了重要见解，可通过加强协调、系统监测、能力发展、政策传播、充足资金分配和促进创新来加强国家烟草控制战略的实施。这些结果通过为政策制定者提供切实可行的建议，为有效的烟草控制战略的证据基础做出了贡献。
