MEDIA ADVISORY
'Smoke-Free Americas' Initiative to be launched in Washington on World No-Tobacco Day, May 31

WHAT: The launch of the new "Smoke Free Americas" initiative and the announcement of the winners of the "Clearing the Air" international contest will take place on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2002 at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington

WHEN: Thursday, 31 May, 2001at 10:00 a.m. (coffee and light breakfast at 9:30 a.m.)

WHERE: Pan American Health Organization Headquarters, 525 23rd St NW, Washington, DC, Room B, 2nd Floor (23rd Street at Virginia Avenue, four blocks south of Foggy Bottom Metro Station)

WHO: Dr. Stanton Glantz, University of California at San Francisco, Author, Tobacco War: Inside the California Battles and The Cigarette Papers; Dr. George Alleyne, Director of Pan American Health Organization; Dr. Armando Peruga, PAHO Regional Advisor on Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs, and Heather Selin, PAHO Advisor on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use.

WHY: World No Tobacco Day is observed every May 31 at PAHO Headquarters. This year, Dr. George Alleyne will launch the Smoke Free Americas initiative, a sustained campaign to promote smoke free environments throughout the Americas. In addition, the winners of the international Clearing the Air contest will be announced, recognizing individuals and institutions in the Americas that have done the most to create smoke free environments. The theme for World No Tobacco Day this year is Second-hand smoke kills. Let's clear the air. Professor Stanton Glantz of the University of California at San Francisco, well-known for his leadership on research and advocacy in support of smoke free environments, will deliver the keynote address on California's experience in making all public places, including bars and restaurants, smoke free: If California Can Go Smoke Free, Anywhere Can.