World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. The member states of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. The day aims to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related health problems. [ [http://www.inforesearchlab.com/smokingdeaths.chtml How many people die because of smoking each year?] ] From 1988 the WHO has presented one or more World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption. On May 31st, 2008 the WHO called for a complete ban on tobacco advertising; the organization said studies establish a relationship between exposure to cigarette advertisement and starting smoking. [ [http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-31-voa6.cfm VOA News - WHO Calls for Complete Ban on Tobacco Advertising] ]

History

*In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for April 7 1988 to be "a world no-smoking day".
*In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on May 31.
*On May 31st 2008, a section of the Smoke Free Ontario Act came into effect banning tobacco "power walls" and displays at stores.

See also

* Great American Smokeout - the third Thursday in November
* Smoking ban
* Smoking cessation
* Tobacco smoking

References

External links

* [http://www.worldnotobaccoday.info World No Tobacco Day Community Website]
* [http://www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/en/ World Health Organization World No Tobacco Days]
* [http://www.vatikashaktipeeth.com/tobacco/ World No Tobacco Days - Gayatri Pariwar]