New WHO resource outlines steps to implement smokefree cities

Smokefree legislation is a proven cost-effective measure to improve the health of those who live and work in cities. A new resource, “Making Cities Smoke-free”, has been released and intends to support the work of city councils preparing for and implementing smokefree legislation.

Strengthening tobacco control education in medical and nursing schools

The Union piloted a new workshop on integrating and strengthening MPOWER-based* tobacco control education in medical and nursing school curricula late last year. The workshop, which was held from 29 November to 1 December 2011, brought together senior academics such as deans, vice-chancellors and department heads from Bangladesh, China, India and Indonesia, to discuss and plan how to implement, strengthen and expand tobacco control education in their universities.

Bali expects tourists will welcome its new smokefree law

The legislative council of Bali, a major international tourist destination, enacted a 100% smokefree provincial legislation in November 2011 states that public places, workplaces including hotels and restaurants and public transport will be 100% smoke-free, effective May 2012.

The Union congratulates its grantees on a year well done!

This year has seen The Union’s grantees under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use make important advances in tobacco control.  As acknowledged by a recent five-year report from Bloomberg on the Initiative, country by country, progress is being made towards fulfilling the requirements of the world’s first public health treaty, the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

Announcing Round 11 of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Eleven of the Grants Program.

The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5 hours) on Monday, 23 January 2012.

Bloomberg Philanthropies: Accelerating the Worldwide Movement to Reduce Tobacco Use

New Resource: Building capacity for tobacco control: training package

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Tobacco Free Initiative and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease have just released a new training package to help strengthen the capacity of Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to fulfil their obligations under the treaty.

Australia’s plain tobacco packaging bill is a “first”

In a worldwide “first”, Australia passed a Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill on 21 November that limits the colour and branding on tobacco packages and also increases the size of graphic health warnings. The new law will take effect in December 2012.

Encouraging five-year progress report on tobacco control

A five-year report highlighting progress under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use (BI) has been released by the US-based foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies.  Among the findings: 21 countries have passed 100% smokefree laws, and there has been a 400% increase in people protected from second-hand smoke.

Russia drafts a tobacco control law that meets all FCTC requirements

The next 12 months will be crucial to the campaign for tobacco control in Russia. In August, the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development released a comprehensive draft law that has already raised objections from the tobacco industry.

Milestone in tobacco control achieved in Lebanon

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health announced the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco control law in August, which is not only a milestone for the country, but also has the potential to impact similar legislation in other countries in the Middle East region.

Passing the ‘scream test’ in the Philippines – Smokefree Metro Manila

When a tobacco control policy or reform makes the tobacco industry ‘scream’, it passes the ‘scream test’. “Then we know we are on to a good thing,” says Bill Bellew, a technical advisor for The Union. This summer the tobacco industry in the Philippines has been ‘screaming’ over the new smokefree policies of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a Union grantee under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.

Smoking goes down, awareness goes up in Guangzhou

The Guangzhou Regulation on Smoking Control in Public Places took effect in September 2010, and it has already made an impact: the rate of smoking in public places has declined by 5.4%, and the smoking rate among the city’s citizens has decreased overall from 18.6% in 2009 to 17.4% in 2011. Awareness of the tobacco control regulations and penalties has jumped from 38.3% in 2009 (before the regulation was passed) to 79.4% today.

Announcing Round 10 of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Ten of the Grants Program.

The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -5 hours) on Friday, 12 August 2011.

A Global Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use in low- and middle-income countries was launched in December 2006 and is a competitively awarded grants program, funded by Michael R. Bloomberg. The grants program is managed by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Russia’s ”Healthy Kuban” project includes smokefree health care

Following the passage of a regional decree banning smoking in health-care facilities, the Government of Krasnodar Krai launched a campaign to develop smokefree health-care policies in collaboration with The Union. The ban will be implemented in all types of health-care facilities across this region in southern Russia.

Tobacco control measures cover 1 billion more than in 2008

The Union joined other tobacco control advocates around the world in welcoming the news about measureable gains in tobacco control announced in The WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic released on 7 July in Montevideo, Uruguay.

World No Tobacco Day: awards, speeches, rallies – and real progress

The Union and its grantees received recognition for contributions to tobacco control from the World Health Organization and the governments of Mexico and Pakistan on World No Tobacco Day this year. 

Buenos Aires focuses on smoking danger to pregnant women and mothers

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasised the danger of women smoking during pregnancy at this year’s World No Tobacco Day celebrations in May. The National Programme for Tobacco Control run by the MOH is concerned about the high rate of smokers among pregnant women and new mothers, which according to the Risk Fact National Survey 2009 is estimated to be between 15% and 20%.

Brazil’s ACT participates in World No Tobacco Day events

The statue of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro was lit up in red on World No Tobacco Day to draw attention to the high incidence of cancer caused by tobacco use.  In addition, the day included the launch of the 11th year of the “No Tobacco, 100% Fashion” campaign to draw attention to tobacco consumption among young women.

World No Tobacco Day: The Union works with more than 30 countries to implement tobacco control treaty

Paris, 30 May 2011 - More than 30 of the world's heaviest tobacco-using countries have advanced towards fulfilling their commitments under the World Health Organization - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) with technical assistance, training and other support from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). This year's World No Tobacco Day 31 May 2011 highlights the importance of efforts to implement the FCTC, the world's first international public health treaty. 

MPOWER brochures now available in six languages

A series of colourful MPOWER brochures that summarise the tobacco control measures recommended by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is now available in six languages. Each brochure provides a summary of the key data and recommendations for implementing one of the measures:  Monitor, Protect, Offer, Warn, Enforce and Raise.  The series was developed by The Union in collaboration with the Bloomberg Initiative partners.  Now online, they will also be available in print soon. 

Click here to download copies. http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/publications/en/index.html

Smokefree public places: new commitment from Chinese government

28 April 2011 - In March, the Chinese government announced a new regulation stipulating that 28 types of public places in China will become smokefree. This is a huge step forward for a country where smoking is a cultural norm, despite the fact that 1 million Chinese die of tobacco-related diseases each year.

Nepal Legislature-Parliament passes new tobacco control law

28 April 2011 - Nepal's Legislature-Parliament passed a tobacco control law on Monday, 11 April, which will take effect 90 days after the President endorses it. The bill was presented at the parliament by Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and includes provisions for graphic health warnings to cover 75% of cigarette packs and other tobacco products. The bill also set out a complete ban on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.

Strengthening Tobacco Control in Bangladesh

The Union supports Ecuador in tobacco control laws

Bloomberg Philanthropies applauds China's Next Steps Against Tobacco

07 April 2011 - Bloomberg Philanthropies has welcomed a recent smoking ban imposed on 28 types of venues by the Chinese Ministry of Health, with support from The Union grantee the China Centre for Disease Control.  The ban will protect the population from the harms of second-hand tobacco smoke, where 1 million smokers die each year from tobacco- related diseases and another 100,000 die from exposure to second-hand smoke.  The ban is seen as a major step forward in China’s implementation of the requirements of the World Health Organization’s global treaty on tobacco control.

Technical training has far-reaching impact on tobacco control

22 March 2011 - The Union's tobacco control technical training is having a marked impact on advancing tobacco control policis, according to a recent survey of nearly 400 participant.  Results indicate that the workshops nurture networks, raise awareness of issues and challenges, and equip participants to achieve goals...

15000aDay.org: Online advocacy site for tobacco control launched

15,000 people die from tobacco each day, and 1 million have already died from tobacco use in 2011. To help put an end to this devastating epidemic, the World Lung Foundation (WLF) and its partners have launched 15000aDay.org. The online advocacy effort calls on people to contact their UN representatives and urge them to attend this September's UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases and make tobacco control a public health priority. 

Mayors’ alliance to accelerate sub-national smokefree efforts in Indonesia

7 February 2011 - An alliance of 12 mayors in Indonesia has been established to enact tobacco control legislation at a sub-national level. It was launched in January at a meeting held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and The Union.

Smokefree laws spread to more public spaces in Bangladesh

Smokefree events more frequent in Gujarat

1 February 2011 - Smokefree is slowly becoming the norm at public events in Gujarat, thanks to efforts of the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC) with the support of The Union. 

Government of Nepal endorses tobacco control directives

1 February 2011 - In December 2010, the Government of Nepal approved a comprehensive tobacco control policy. The policy includes provisions for 100% smokefree public places, bans on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) and the implementation of graphic health warnings on tobacco packs. 

Smokefree legislation upheld in Turkey

19 January 2011 - An appeal by coffee and tea shop owners in Turkey to exempt them from tobacco legislation that bans smoking in indoor places was turned down on 6 January 2011. The cultural importance attached to Turkish coffee houses has made them a focal point in the struggle between proponents and opponents of the smoking ban.

Brazil to ban the retail display of cigarettes

Port Said becomes Egypt’s second smokefree city

17 January 2011 - The coastal city of Port Said has become the latest Egyptian city to announce a smoking ban, which took effect on 24 December, 2010. It is the second city to ban smoking, only six months after Alexandria declared a similar ban. Both “Smokefree City” campaigns have been supported by The Union through a Bloomberg Initiative grant.

Mexico approves very significant increase in tobacco tax

7 January 2011 - The Mexican Congress ended discussions that lasted nearly a year when it approved a tax increase of seven pesos for all tobacco products on 26 October, 2010. Cigarettes cost from 19 to 24 pesos a pack prior to the increase, so the introduction of the tax raises the prices by up to 37%. Higher taxes have been proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco consumption.

The Union signs 300th Bloomberg Initiative tobacco control grant

22 December 2010 - On 30 November, The Union signed the 300^th tobacco control grant under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use. This marks a significant milestone for the Initiative, which has been supporting high-impact, evidence-based tobacco control interventions in low- and middle-income countries through a competitive grants programme since early 2007.

Announcing Round Nine of the Bloomberg Initiative Grants Program

17 December 2010 - Project Ideas are now being accepted for Round Nine of the Grants Program. The deadline for submission of Project Ideas is 15:00 hours, US Eastern Standard Time on Friday, 28 January 2011.

Buenos Aires City Smokefree Law Approved

Mexico City, 14 December 2010 - At 10 pm last night, the City Legislature of Buenos Aires overwhelmingly passed a city-wide smokefree law, which will protect its 13 million citizens from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Since July 2010, The Union has been working with the Ministry of Health for the City of Buenos Aires to support the development and adoption of an amended smokefree law...

Sustainable progress towards tobacco control obtained

10 November 2010, Edinburgh UK - A recent progress report on The Union’s tobacco control programme shows that in the past nine months, significant progress has been achieved under several sustainability indicators in the 15 priority countries for tobacco control.

Senior government ministers support tobacco control in Mizoram

15 October 2010, Mizoram INDIA - The north-eastern Indian state of Mizoram has the highest prevalence of tobacco use in the country, but the participation of senior government ministers in the first meeting of the Mizoram Smoke Free Group on 11 August highlights a significant shift.

Tobacco packages in Pakistan now bear picture warnings

30 September 2010, Islamabad PAKISTAN - As of 31 August 2010, all tobacco packages printed for use in Pakistan bear a gruesome photograph of a person with mouth cancer. The law requiring the pictorial health warnings went into effect on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May, and industry had 90 days to shift its production to the picture-based packaging. 

Buenos Aires launches smokefree project with help from The Union

MPOWER Training Supports China CDC Seven Cities Project

30 August 2010, Lanzhou CHINA - The first MPOWER training ever held in China took place in Lanzhou on 23-29 August. The Union, which developed the workshop on key tobacco control measures, supported the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conducting the training for 21 participants.

Egypt raises tobacco tax to reduce consumption

15 July 2010, Cairo EGYPT - On July 1, the Egyptian government passed a new national tobacco tax that will increase the retail price of tobacco products. The Ministry of Finance, the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health worked together, under a Bloomberg Initiative grant managed by The Union, to build support for the tax, which is expected to reduce consumption of tobacco.

Union helps prepare for smokefree 2014 Olympics in Russia

21 June 2010, Moscow RUSSIA - Tobacco control advocates in Russia are gearing up for the smokefree 2014 Winter Olympics and Para-Olympics in Sochi. The Union and partners conducted a site visit to Sochi in preparation for the Olympics-related smokefree campaign.

World No Tobacco Day News

31 May 2010 - Union grantees and partners around the world marked World No Tobacco Day on 31 May as new tobacco control legislation went into effect and tobacco control advocates increased efforts to raise awareness, train new supporters and help end the tobacco epidemic.

The Union marks World No Tobacco Day as a critical point in the “Year of the Lung”

Health Worker Guide launched by India's National Tobacco Control Programme

19 May 2010, New Delhi INDIA - As part of India’s tobacco control effort, a guide developed by the Directorate General of Health Services in collaboration with The Union will be used to sensitise some one million community health workers. Public education is a critical component of India’s ‘National Tobacco Control Programme’. While needed at all levels, community health workers play a vital role in creating public awareness and influencing behaviour change as they have grassroots access through the primary health care system.

2009 News

Catch up on 2009 news