SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT TOBACCO ADDICTION, IN 'WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY' MESSAGE
Press Release
SG/SM/6244
WHO/2
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT TOBACCO ADDICTION, IN 'WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY' MESSAGE
19970530 Seeks Smoke-Free United Nations by End of YearFollowing is a message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day (31 May 1997):
Today, as we commemorate World No-Tobacco Day, over 8,000 people around the world will die because of tobacco products. The same will happen tomorrow, and each day thereafter. This adds up to almost 3 million deaths every year.
In 10 years, if this trend is allowed to continue, tobacco will kill about 10 million people each year, and 70 per cent of those deaths will be in developing countries. Tobacco is an enemy to all nations and all peoples, and it is an enemy that must be fought at all levels and at all ages. Our universal aim is to help adults end tobacco addiction and prevent children from beginning theirs. That is why this year's message, "United for a Tobacco-free World", emphasizes the reality that tobacco is a global problem that requires a global solution.
It was in this spirit that in July of 1993, the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted its first resolution on multi-agency collaboration in fighting tobacco. It calls for all United Nations agencies to intensify cooperation in the fight against tobacco and for the establishment, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, of a focal point to coordinate action of tobacco control.
I am pleased to note that the United Nations focal point has been established and that it is working successfully to strengthen and refine our work against tobacco. Recognizing that we cannot preach what we do not practice, I have also asked the United Nations focal point to assist in achieving a tobacco-free United Nations. Towards that aim, we seek to make all United Nations buildings smoke-free by the end of 1997.
Let us not forget, on this important day, that we are fighting a menace -- not only to us, but to all succeeding generations. If current
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smoking trends continue, about 250 million children living today will eventually be killed by tobacco. It is our task, our calling, to reverse this trend and put an end to the plague of tobacco.
I call on people and nations everywhere to join with the United Nations, by acting in ways both small and large to protect the future good health of our children in a tobacco-free world.
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