In 1987, the World Health Assembly of the World Health
Organization (WHO) designated the 40th anniversary of WHO, April
7, 1988, as World No-Tobacco Day (1). The objective of World
No-Tobacco Day was to encourage all persons worldwide who smoke
or chew tobacco to quit for at least 24 hours. Extensive press
coverage of this event stimulated and identified a range of
policy and health education activities linked to the event, the
specific theme of which was "Tobacco or Health: Choose Health."
Illustrative activities in selected countries included bans on
smoking in public places (Ethiopia), suspension of government
tobacco sales (Cuba), radio and printed health messages from the
government (Lebanon), poster contests (Spain), public
cigarette-burning ceremonies (Nepal), and large public
information campaigns (China).
The second World No-Tobacco Day, held May 31, 1989, emphasized
the theme "Women and Tobacco--The Female Smoker: At Added Risk"
(2). In preparation for this event, the WHO director-general
asked all major United Nations agencies to collaborate by
declaring their offices free from tobacco on World No-Tobacco
Day. Press advisory kits, video tapes, and radio programs were
distributed by WHO. After the event, the WHO's Tobacco or Health
(TOH) Program received more than 300 newspaper articles from
around the world documenting activities and press coverage
related to World No-Tobacco Day. In some countries, these
celebrations were led personally by the president (Bangladesh), a
former prime minister (Sudan), or ministers of health (Nigeria,
Fiji, Oman, and many others) (1).
Reported by: H Restrepo, MD, Adult Health Program, Pan American
Health Organization, Washington, DC. Program Svcs Activity,
Office on Smoking and Health, Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: WHO estimates that each year approximately 2.5
million premature deaths occur worldwide as a result of tobacco
use (3). World No-Tobacco days, like the Great American Smokeout
in the United States each November (4), focus global attention on
tobacco use. In the United States in 1989, approximately one
third (almost 18 million persons) of all smokers participated in
the Smokeout by decreasing cigarette smoking (25.4%) or quitting
for the day (10.5%) (4).
On May 31, 1990, WHO will celebrate the third World No-Tobacco
Day; the theme for this event will be "Childhood and Youth
Without Tobacco" (2). Additional information about the event can
be obtained from the Adult Health Program, Pan American Health
Organization (telephone (202) 861-3261) or CDC's Office on
Smoking and Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion (telephone (301) 443-5287).
References
Report of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Tobacco or
Health. TOH/TAG/89.11. Geneva: Switzerland: World Health
Organization, November 3, 1989.
Stroot P. World No-Tobacco days. World Health Organization
Tobacco Alert 1990 (January):2.
Mahler H. Tobacco or health: choose health. World Health Forum
1988;9:78-83.
Lieberman Research Inc. A study of the impact of the 1989
Great American Smokeout: summary, Gallup Organization. New York:
American Cancer Society, 1989.
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