Prevention Programs

Lowering the cancer risk

‘Less cancer’ is one of our goals. Empowering people to make the right choices is what we stand for. Since we know that 35 to 50 percent of cancer mortality could be attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle KWF Dutch Cancer Society invests in informing the public about a healthy lifestyle. We offer information and several tools to support the public in realizing a healthy lifestyle.

Prevention is not only the responsibility of the individual, but we see an important role for the government and the parliament as well. Advocacy at national, EU and international level becomes increasingly important since regulation and legislation are playing a profound role in shaping public health policy.

 

 

 

Tobacco control

Every year 20.000 persons die due to smoking in the Netherlands. At the moment 25% of the Dutch population smokes. Tobacco control is one of the key issues of KWF Dutch Cancer Society. We strive for a substantial increase of non-smokers and more smoke free public places. We want to achieve this result by a combination of awareness campaigns and advocacy.

Since some years KWF invests more in advocacy in the area of tobacco control. The Dutch government has ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) but it appears to be necessary to follow up on implementing the measures. Since the last change in government (2012) tobacco control is back on the national prevention agenda. Due to lobby of the Netherlands Smokefree Alliance reimbursement of smoking cessation programs (drugs and counseling) and a total smokefree hospitality branch are re-introduced in recent years.

Next to advocacy at national level KWF is involved in advocacy at European level as well, in particular when it comes to the Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive. At the EU-level we collaborate with the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) and the Smokefree Partnership.