National Program for Tobacco Control (NPTC) in social perspective: network analysis, capital and support

Abstract In 1986, the Ministry of Health launched the National Program for Tobacco Control (NPTC) that aimed to prevent the early use of tobacco among children and adolescents, as well as encourage smoking cessation of those already dependent. Despite the continued decline in prevalence since then, there have been signs of recovery of these numbers. Since smoking is a sign of “social contamination” and is not infectious-biological, we sought to assess the NTCP actions towards these relapses. The assumptions taken from social networks analysis (SNA) theories and social capital in the context of social supported by fictitious examples are used to support the discussion. In conclusion, the NTCP investment on support networks and the individual's insertion in these, encouraging them to establish their own personal networks, are essential prerequisites to increase the social capital of the smokers and therefore preventing relapses.