TOBACCO USE ‘NEEDLESS THREAT’ TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL

TOBACCO USE 'NEEDLESS THREAT' TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL
New York, Jun 1 2009 1:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged governments everywhere to address tobacco consumption, which he described as a "needless threat" to public health.

In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp">message to mark World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31 May, Mr. Ban noted that every year, some 5.4 million people die from illnesses caused by tobacco consumption, 80 per cent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Left unchecked, tobacco-related deaths will rise to more than 8 million by 2030.

In addition, lung cancer, heart disease and other tobacco-related illnesses are part of a broader epidemic of non-communicable diseases, which include strokes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

"These diseases have become the world's leading cause of mortality," the Secretary-General noted, adding that 60 per cent of all deaths globally are caused by them, with women being the hardest hit.

"That we continue to allow such diseases to be caused by tobacco consumption is a global tragedy. It also comes at vast expense," he added.

Mr. Ban pointed out that economies are harmed by the costs of treating of tobacco-caused diseases and by decreased productivity due to illness and premature death, while families whose members die or become ill due to tobacco use endure an unnecessary financial burden.

Decreasing tobacco use was the theme of this year's Day, and in an effort to raise the public's awareness of the related dangers, the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/en/">WHO) had called on governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictures to warn consumers of the ill effects of tobacco use.

WHO said that effective health warnings, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted.
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GRAPHIC WARNINGS ON TOBACCO PACKAGES CAN SAVE LIVES, SAYS UN HEALTH AGENCY

GRAPHIC WARNINGS ON TOBACCO PACKAGES CAN SAVE LIVES, SAYS UN HEALTH AGENCY
New York, May 29 2009 9:00AM
The United Nations health agency today called on governments to require that all tobacco packages include pictures to warn consumers of the ill effects of tobacco use, which kills more than five million people every year.

The call to action by the World Health Organization (WHO) comes ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31 May, which this year focuses on decreasing tobacco use – the leading preventable cause of death – by increasing public awareness of its dangers.

Studies reveal that even among people who believe tobacco is harmful, few understand its specific health risks, WHO noted in a news release. Despite this, health warnings on tobacco packages in most countries do not provide information to warn consumers of the risks.

WHO added that effective health warnings, especially those that include pictures, have been proven to motivate users to quit and to reduce the appeal of tobacco for those who are not yet addicted.

"Health warnings on tobacco packages are a simple, cheap and effective strategy that can vastly reduce tobacco use and save lives," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Ala Alwan.

"But they only work if they communicate the risk. Warnings that include images of the harm that tobacco causes are particularly effective at communicating risk and motivating behavioural changes, such as quitting or reducing tobacco consumption."

Studies carried out on the use of warnings employing both pictures and text in Brazil, Canada, Singapore and Thailand reveal "remarkably consistent" findings on their positive impact.

But, according to WHO, only 10 per cent of the world's people live in countries that require warnings with pictures on tobacco packages.

"In order to survive, the tobacco industry needs to divert attention from the deadly effects of its products," said Dr. Douglas Bettcher, Director of WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative. "It uses multi-million dollar promotional campaigns, including carefully crafted package designs, to ensnare new users and keep them from quitting."

"Health warnings on tobacco packages can be a powerful tool to illuminate the stark reality of tobacco use," Dr. Bettcher added.
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