PAHO Launches Smoke Free Americas Initiative

Washington, May 31, 2001 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today launched the Smoke Free Americas initiative, a multi-year campaign to protect the public from second-hand tobacco smoke through promotion of smoke free environments. The launch, on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May is intended to raise awareness of the harm caused by second-hand smoke and mobilize action to create smoke-free homes, workplaces, and communities.

Dr. George Alleyne, Director of PAHO, said the initiative is being launched in recognition of the need to combat the devastating impact of second-hand smoke on the health of all nonsmokers, and on children in particular.

"In addition to causing lung cancer and heart disease in non-smoking adults, exposure to second-hand smoke causes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections in children. Exposure of the fetus to tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, " he said.

"Based on what we know of the risk of death from exposure to second-hand smoke, we can estimate that between 122,000 and 209,000 nonsmokers in the Americas die every year from second-hand smoke. Many more will be hospitalized or will see a health professional due to the numerous problems caused by second-hand smoke," Dr. Alleyne said.

"Yet an unacceptably high rate of children in the Region are exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes. Exposure rates are 70 percent in Argentina, 60 percent in Chile and Suriname, and nearly 50 percent in Mexico, Bolivia, and Venezuela. In addition, hospitality sector workers almost universally suffer from high levels of exposure," Dr. Alleyne said, noting that "Clearly, we are not doing a good enough job of protecting children, and indeed all nonsmokers, from an entirely preventable environmental health hazard."

PAHO aims to change this situation through the new Smoke Free Americas initiative by increasing capacity throughout the Americas to create smoke-free homes, workplaces, and communities. The initiative will raise awareness and mobilize action through the development of guidelines for making public places and workplaces smoke-free, forming partnerships with the tourism and other sectors, and supporting key pilot projects that can serve as models for the Region.

"Smoke Free Americas is a call to action, and an opportunity to create international momentum for smoke-free environments. Demand and provide smoke-free environments, starting today," urged Dr. Alleyne.

Among the activities to raise awareness is a region-wide competition in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day, with awards for those who have done the most to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

PAHO, which was founded in 1902, works to improve health and raise living standards in all the countries of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.