A new WHO report “Litigation relevant to regulation of novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products: comparison across jurisdictions” offers governments examples of the legal arguments that industry has used in attempts to evade or minimize regulation, as well as how courts have addressed those arguments. In recent years, regulation of novel and emerging nicotine...
The hazards of tobacco handling and toxic exposure to pesticides used in tobacco farming are undisputed. Child labour in tobacco rightfully falls under the category “worst forms of child labour” due to the hazardous nature of work in the tobacco sector. According to International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions, child labour in such sectors should...
Amsale Beyene Ashagre didn’t know Wondu Bekele Woldemariam smoked when they first dated. She likely would have told him to get lost. “I have always hated tobacco,” she says. Despite the occasional whiff of smoke she picked up, they kept dating. By the time she discovered his smoking, she was in love. She tolerated him...
Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards. WHO Director-General Special award Tobacco Control Research Group, University of Bath, United Kingdom of Great Britain...
The 2021 edition of World No Tobacco Day makes a special request to smokers; “Commit to Quit”. This message is particularly timely, especially at a time when the world continues to struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that “available research suggests smokers are at higher risk of developing...
In 2018 only 38 countries, covering 14% of the global population had sufficiently high tobacco taxes - which means taxing at least 75% of the cost of these health-harming products. By implementing proven policies like tobacco taxes, the costs created by the tobacco industry to local communities and nation can be avoidable. It is...
Lomé, 07 April 2021 This year, World Health Day mandates us to reflect on measures to make the world fairer and healthier. The World Health Organization notes that the world is currently an unequal one because “as COVID-19 has highlighted, some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services...
WHO’s new Technical Manual on Tobacco Tax Policy and Administration shows countries ways to cut down on over US$1.4 trillion in health expenditures and lost productivity due to tobacco use worldwide. Improved tobacco taxation policies can also be a key component of building back better after COVID-19, where countries need additional resources to respond and...
A new WHO report, Tobacco Control To Improve Child Health And Development, calls for raising awareness among practitioners and policymakers about the importance of strong tobacco control measures for protecting the health and development of children, including banning tobacco advertising, implementing 100% smoke-free environments and raising taxes on tobacco. Exposure to tobacco smoke has devastating...
Statement of Leonce SESSOU, Executive Secretary, African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) Lomé 25 February, 2021
