Power of the Pen

Recently, IGTC study leads have leveraged editorial journalism as a dissemination tactic for reaching people and policymakers through their media of choice, including mainstream news outlets.

Brazil: An op-ed authored by IGTC senior research program coordinator Graziele Grilo on health equity and tobacco-related disparities was published by Folha de S.Paulo, one of the country’s most widely accessed national publications. Additionally, an article summarizing the evidence-informed basis for regulation banning cigarette additives appeared in JOTA, a Brazilian news outlet specializing in legal/government topics.

China: An infographic based on IGTC senior biostatistician Qinghua Nian’s letter to the editor in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases was successfully placed in three prominent online platforms accessed by users across China: Toutiao, Sina Weibo, and Sohu.

India: The abolishment of ineffective designated smoking areas (DSAs) in favor of 100% smoke-free indoor spaces was articulated in an authored article from IGTC senior research program coordinator Sejal Saraf, published by ET Healthworld. The position was based on an IGTC assessment of DSA prevalence in and compliance with country-level smoke-free policies.

Mexico: During Día de los Muertos (November 1–2) an opinion article addressing cultural appropriation by the tobacco industry, by Graziele Grilo, was placed in El Universal— one of the country’s most prominent national news outlets.

Collectively, these thought leadership pieces provide opportunities to increase key audience awareness of the continuously growing evidence supporting effective tobacco control interventions.