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December 2, 2008 9:43:31 AM CST

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WHO Pushes Governments to Battle Smoking

Posted Feb 7, 08 4:40 PM CST in Science & Health,  World 

(Newser) – Aiming to slash the 5.4 million tobacco-related deaths worldwide per year, the World Health Organization today called on governments everywhere to discourage smoking, the Wall Street Journal reports. As it stands, only 5% of countries have programs working to curb the habit, such as advertising bans and warning labels. A WHO report offers a six-point strategy to battle the tobacco beast.

Poorer countries pose a particular challenge: While more than half the world’s smokers come from 15 such nations, their governments lack resources to fix the problem. But, says a WHO anti-tobacco leader, “This is a moment of opportunity. Data, partnerships, political consensus around tobacco control are all coming together to make this the right time” to step up the fight.

Source Wall Street Journal

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The flag of the World Health Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations who's latest mission is to combat tobacco related deaths worldwide.   (Wikimedia Commons)
The World Health Organization is seeking aid in the worldwide battle against tobacco usage.   (Shutterstock.com)
According to the WHO, 5.4 million people worldwide die prematurely from tobacco-related causes each year.   (Shutterstock.com)
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public health • smoking • cigarettes • tobacco • smoking ban • World Health Organization • international governments • nicotine


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