Tobacco Use, Control Policies, and Oral Cancer in WHO SEARO: A Cross-Country Analytical Study

Introduction: The World Health Organization Southeast Asia Region (WHO SEARO) is one of the largest producers and consumers of tobacco in the world with smokeless and smoking tobacco use impacting 81% and 22% of the population with a resultant high oral cancer burden. Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze and classify the data on tobacco use, tobacco control policies, and oral cancer burden across different countries in the SEARO region. Materials and Methods: For this cross-country analytical study, data were collected from global databases hosting country-level data on tobacco and oral cancer. Correlation analysis was done to find possible associations between tobacco metrics and oral cancer burden. Results: Better tobacco control measures did not consistently correspond with either lower tobacco consumption or lower oral cancer prevalence and incidence. Oral cancer prevalence was, in fact, positively correlated MPOWER scores (r = 0.717) as well as with the “tax burden as percentage of retail price of the most sold cigarette brand” (r = 0.644). Tobacco industry interference was positively correlated with smoking tobacco usage. Conclusion: The findings raise concerns about issues like data consistency and potential bias arising from the use of multiple sources, differences in methodology, definitions, reporting periods, or political influences but also bring into focus the high levels of tobacco consumption, inconsistent tobacco control measures, and the resultant oral cancer burden, which needs urgent action. A coordinated, multifaceted approach with a focus on prevention and health promotion is needed to address the gap between policy and implementation.