world no tobacco day, 31 may 2016
May 31, 2016 is World No Tobacco Day. Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 1.3 billion adults currently use tobacco. According to WHO, “Approximately 1 person dies from a tobacco-caused disease every 6 seconds, equivalent to almost 6 million people a year. This is forecast to rise to more than 8 million people a year by 2030, with more than 80% of these preventable deaths occurring among people living in low-and middle-income countries.”
A recent strategy, to decrease the use of tobacco products, is to introduce plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products. The idea behind plain packaging is to restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images and promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed using a standard color and font.
“Plain packaging reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products. It kills the glamour, which is appropriate for a product that kills people,” says WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan. “It restricts tobacco advertising and promotion. It limits misleading packaging and labelling. And it increases the effectiveness of health warnings.”
Australia was the first country to implement plain packaging in 2012. France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland have begun implementation of plain packaging.
For more information on global tobacco use go to WHO”s Tobacco site.
MCN Foundation, More Care Now, mission is to increase patient care and safety through web-based healthcare education, skills building and entrepreneurial endeavors in order to promote and maintain the health of families and communities. Our purpose is to educate individuals, providers and organizations in developing countries around the world through healthcare education and entrepreneurial investment in order to nurture and grow healthy families and communities.
