Second-Hand Smoke:  Let’s Clear the Air

Let’s clear the air around second-hand smoke.

Let’s clear the air around tobacco industry deception.

Publicize, mobilize and organize now for World No-Tobacco Day 2001

Over the next year, 191 countries will clear the air around

second-hand smoke. What about you?

World No-Tobacco Day is also your process, your project.

Millions of people, myriad projects at the global, regional, national and local stage making public health happen.

It is time to start preparing for World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2001.  As WHO works on getting a poster and information packs put together, we encourage our partners around the world to start planning their own campaigns.  Second-hand smoke is a key issue in tobacco control, and we need to use the WNTD theme as a means to mobilize in taking real actions to clear the air.  In a number of countries, some of the most effective and sustainable clean indoor air regulations have taken place at the local level. With this in mind, WHO has launched the "Clear the Air competition".

Participate in the "Clear The Air" Competition:

Because local policies play a major role in determining public health, WHO is urging mayors of cities all over the world to launch "Clear the Air" campaigns on tobacco and the persistent problem of second-hand smoke.

Mayors of the cities that launch the most successful campaigns to “Clear the Air” will receive international recognition, and will be the guests of honour at a special World No-Tobacco Day celebration to be held on 31 May 2001. At this celebration, WHO’s Director-General, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, will present honoured mayors with special prizes for their achievements.

Even though passive smoking has been chosen as the theme for the 2001 World No-Tobacco Day campaign, tobacco control is an ongoing process, and mayors are urged to begin their campaigns immediately to ensure sustained results. Help your city and mayor shape the focus of the campaign on second-hand smoke. Make your voice heard on what is appropriate for your city, whether it is an implementation of bans on smoking in workplaces, restaurants, schools, hospitals, airports, government buildings, or even a smoke-free city hall or legislature.

We encourage you to inform your mayor/local governments about this initiative and work with them on this initiative.  As actions take shape, we invite you to nominate your mayor/local government representative to be considered for a WNTD medal.  Short descriptions outlining what actions have taken place (such as new regulations/ legislation or increased enforcement of existing regulations) should be submitted no later than March 1, 2001 to the WHO Regional Offices.  In the next few weeks further specifics will be available on our website. So keep checking. 

 

World No-Tobacco Day Information sheet

 Frequently Asked Questions About Second-Hand Smoke