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The World Health Organization (WHO) selected "Tobacco Health Warnings" as the theme for the next World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on 31 May 2009.
Tobacco health warnings appear on packs of cigarettes and are among the strongest defenses against the global epidemic of tobacco.
WHO particularly approves of tobacco health warnings that contain both pictures and words because they are the most effective at convincing people to quit. Such pictorial warnings appear in more than a dozen countries.
On World No Tobacco Day 2009, and throughout the following year, WHO will encourage governments to adopt tobacco health warnings that meet all the criteria for maximal effectiveness, including that they cover more than half of the pack, appear on both the front and back of the pack and contain pictures.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control obligates its more than 160 countries parties to require "health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use" on packs of tobacco and their outside packaging and recommends that the warnings contain pictures. WHO works through its Tobacco Free Initiative department to help the parties to meet their obligation, providing technical and other assistance.
As WHO Director General Margaret Chan says, "We hold in our hands the solution to the global tobacco epidemic that threatens the lives of one billion men, women and children during this century."
Tobacco health warnings are a big part of the solution about which Dr Chan speaks.
Please return soon to this website for a richer explanation of why the World Health Organization chose "Tobacco Health Warnings" as the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2009 and about what the warnings -- pictorial ones in particular -- can do to fight tobacco.
FCTC - Article 11 - Packaging and labelling of tobacco products (p.9/10) (pdf format)
1. Each party shall, within a period of three years after the entry into force of this Convention for that Party, adopt and implement, in accordance with its national law, effective measures to ensure that:
Continue reading "FCTC - Article 11 - Packaging and labelling of tobacco products" »
From the MPower Report, the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008 (p.54/56) (pdf format)
Warning people about the harms of tobacco use is essential and can be achieved in many ways.
This initial report on the global tobacco epidemic reviews countries' requirements for size and characteristics of health warnings on tobacco packs, which disseminate health information at no cost to government except for enforcement.
From the MPower report , the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008 (pages 40/41) (pdf format):
Health warnings on the packaging of all tobacco products are guaranteed to reach all users.
Tobacco manufacturers have always used packaging as a platform to reinforce brand loyalty and user's perceived self-image, particularly among young people.
Pack warnings reduce this marketing effect.
Continue reading "The role of pack warnings (MPower report p.40/41)" »
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