Organisation of the tobacco control authorities in Norway
The Public Health Division of the Norwegian Directorate of Health has the main responsibility for governmental tobacco control initiatives and implementation, as well as being the supervisory authority for certain provisions in Norwegian tobacco control legislation. In addition it is an advisory body for the Ministry of Health in matters concerning tobacco and health.
Tobacco control is mainly a public responsibility, but the authorities enjoy a highly developed collaboration with NGOs, trade unions and organisations for health providers.
The Ministry of Health initiates and implements laws and regulation, and otherwise gives the Directorate the framework conditions through budgets and annual instructions. The Directorate however plays a rather independent role in choosing the measures and strategies.
History
Until January 2002, when the Directorate for Health and Social Affairs was established, tobacco control was administered by the National Council on Tobacco and Health as an authority and administrative organ under the Ministry of Health.
The National Council on Tobacco and Health was established in 1971 and consisted of an advisory council and an administrative department. The advisory council does still exist.
The Directorate for Health and Social Affairs was reorganised and renamed Norwegian Directorate of Health in April 2008.