PAHO Honors Eight on World No Tobacco Day
Individuals and institutions recognized for their contributions to tobacco control
Washington, D.C., May 31, 2007 (PAHO)—The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) marked World No Tobacco Day, May 31, by recognizing three individuals, four government agencies, and a nongovernmental organization for their contributions to smoke-free environments in the Americas.
PAHO Director Mirta Roses presented awards to:
Prof. Jonathan M. Samet, of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, one of the world's leading experts on the health effects of active and passive smoking. He has contributed to several reports of the U.S. Surgeon General.
Miguel García, National Corporation of Laryngectomees, Chile, who allowed his image to be used on health warnings on tobacco product packaging. García began smoking at age 12, developed cancer of the larynx, and required a laryngectomy in 1996. He now visits schools to campaign against tobacco use.
National Resource Fund of Uruguay, a nongovernmental organization that finances highly specialized medical procedures for all patients. Since 2004, the fund has supported tobacco control efforts by financing campaigns for awareness raising and smoking cessation.
Córdoba, Santa Fé, and Tucumán, Argentina's 100-percent-smoke-free provinces. All three provinces have, starting in 2003, banned smoking in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. Their achievement is especially noteworthy given that Argentina has signed but not yet ratified the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Ministry of Agrarian Development of Brazil, which has launched a program to support small tobacco producers and their families through diversification projects involving research, training, and technical assistance. Brazil's enormous tobacco industry has raised fears among small producers about the effects of the FCTC as part of efforts to delay the process of Brazil's ratifying the treaty.
Prof. Alfredo Darío Espinosa Brito, of Cuba, who has supported tobacco control efforts for more than 30 years through research, publications, and legislative initiatives. Dr. Espinosa is vice-president of the Cuban Society of Internal Medicine, president of his provincial Scientific Council, and a deputy in the Cuban National Assembly, where he introduced a Framework Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use.
In Geneva today, WHO marked World No Tobacco Day with a call on all the world's countries to make all indoor public places and workplaces 100 percent smoke-free (see web site).
Additional Information:
The Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
