Tobacco – deadly in any form or disguise is the motto of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2006. The aim of this year’s campaign is to show how deadly tobacco is in all its manifestations. Cigarettes, cigars, snuff, ‘light’, low-tar etc – all carry a lethal risk.
There has been a decrease of 6 per cent in the number of people smoking in the European Union between 2002 and 2005. Moreover 80 per cent of Europeans would like to see smoking banned in public places.
These figures are the latest of the European Commission’s Eurobaromenter survey on tobacco that was released to mark WNTD celebrated on 31 May.
Some of the results from this survey reveal that the number of people saying they have never smoked has risen from 42% to 47% since 2002. 57% of women have never smoked, compared to 35% of men. Furthermore the number of people who have given up smoking has risen from 19 per cent to 22 per cent. Women and young people are those that smoke the least, and young people are most bothered by smoke sue to its unpleasant smell. 56 per cent of people are in favour of banning smoking in restaurants.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the purpose of WNTD 2006 is to encourage countries and governments to work towards strict regulation of tobacco products. They propose doing this by raising awareness about the existence of the wide variety of deadly tobacco products. Regulation should also help people get accurate information, remove the disguise and unveil the truth behind tobacco products.
In Valletta, WNTD 2006 is being marked by a giant cigarette that is roaming the streets and warning people against the harmful effects that smoking can have. A nicotine replacement therapy, Nicorette, is joining forces with the Health Promotion Department on this day with the aim of encouraging people to stop smoking. Mario Spiteri, Health Promotion Department Head, said that it was the department's duty to encourage people to quit smoking and support them during their mission.
The European Commission is fully supporting WNTD by backing a wide range of anti-tobacco actions, including 25 national events of the HELP anti-tobacco campaign. Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection said, "This survey shows that we are making progress in reducing the numbers of smokers and reveals the ever-growing strength of feeling against smoking in Europe. More and more of us don’t smoke and don’t want to be anywhere near smokers either. I am delighted that the tide is turning and the message is getting through - smoking is a fool’s game, harming you and those around you. However, I also know the battle against the scourge of tobacco is a relentless one, but one we will continue to fight on all fronts. I urge all Member States to take stronger actions against tobacco – this survey shows that in doing so they have the backing of the public."
See also:
Malta fifth in Europe for tobacco control
By MaltaMedia News - May 25, 2006
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