home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Arsenal Files 6
/
The Arsenal Files 6 (Arsenal Computer).ISO
/
health
/
wntd1996.zip
/
WNTD1996.TXT
< prev
Wrap
INI File
|
1996-03-28
|
66KB
|
1,332 lines
[Reprinted with permission from the World Health Organization]
(http://www.who.ch)
World No-Tobacco Day
31 May 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
* Message from the Director-General of the World Health Organization
* Joint declaration from IOC, UNESCO and WHO
* Health hazards of tobacco : some facts
* Ending the exploitation of sport and arts to promote tobacco products
* Some examples of sponsorship of sport and arts by tobacco companies
* Breaking free from tobacco company sponsorships
* Lobbying for lives : Political action for tobacco-free sport and arts
* Financing health promotion through sport and arts sponsorship
* Using sport and arts to play it tobacco-free : Some low budget successes
* WHO commends smoke-free Olympics and calls on all international sports
events to be smoke-free
* Selected list of WHO publications on tobacco or health
* Who to contact in IOC, UNESCO and WHO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information please send an E-mail to : collishawn@who.ch
(Tobacco or Health Programme), or phone : (41 22) 791 34 23
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FOR WORLD
NO-TOBACCO DAY 1996
"Play it tobacco-free!"
The lives and accomplishments of sports heroes, leading actors,
musicians and other artists are highly visible and attract widespread
interest all around the world. Young people in particular look to sports
stars and art performers as role models. It is fitting therefore that
World No-Tobacco Day 1996 should be dedicated to the theme "Sport and
the arts without tobacco". Athletes and artists can lead the way in
promoting healthy lifestyles where tobacco use is no longer the social
norm.
Every year, World No-Tobacco Day is a special occasion for the World
Health Organization and people from all its Member States to call
attention to the harm that results from tobacco use. It is also a day
when governments, communities, groups and individuals together explore
the ways through which they can stem the tobacco epidemic, and
especially prevent young people from becoming addicted to this harmful
substance. We applaud those individuals who have already given up
tobacco use, and encourage those who still use tobacco to make a special
effort to finally break free from this dependence.
World No-Tobacco Day 1996 is co-sponsored by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the
International Olympic Committee (IOC). These organizations have welcomed
the initiative of combining sport and the arts to promote, jointly with
WHO, the prevention of tobacco use. They too have fully realized the
importance of athletes and artists as role models who can convince the
public in general and young people in particular that a healthy
lifestyle should be "smoke-free".
Communities and societies express themselves through their arts and
culture. Promoting good health and a tobacco-free lifestyle in
conjunction with cultural and artistic events will contribute not only
to improving people's health but also to giving full expression to the
creativity and vitality of different groups and cultures.
We also want to promote "sport for all" as the right for all human
beings to participate in sport and physical activities for recreation
and to improve their health and well-being. Regular physical activity is
vital for good health: it provides protection from a wide variety of
physical and mental ailments. Physical fitness and good health, however,
can be ruined by tobacco use. It is estimated that about half of the
adolescents who start smoking cigarettes and continue throughout their
lives will eventually die from tobacco-related diseases. Not only
smoking but all forms of tobacco consumption are extremely hazardous.
Unfortunately, the tobacco industry has geared its efforts towards
developing positive images for its products through extensive
sponsorship of sports and cultural personalities, organizations and
events. In many countries, sport and the arts rely heavily on
sponsorship from commercial enterprises, and tobacco companies are among
the main sponsors. In many cases, sports and cultural events, which
should celebrate good health, physical prowess, intellectual freedom and
cultural independence are cynically used as an opportunity to promote
addictive and hazardous products among the young.
In contrast, tobacco-free sports and cultural events are ideal venues to
promote good health and healthy lifestyles. Alliances must be forged
between the public, the health sector and all those who are active and
interested in sports and the arts to sponsor sports and cultural
organizations so that these no longer need to depend on tobacco
sponsorship.
This has been done in many places around the world as illustrated by the
examples attached in this Media Kit. Health organizations can sponsor
sporting and cultural activities, and in so doing create major
opportunities to convey their health promotion messages in novel and
effective ways. Such sponsorship, however, requires resources. Some
governments have generated new revenue for this purpose by increasing
taxes on tobacco products, a measure which has also helped to decrease
tobacco consumption.
The sponsorship of sports and the arts by tobacco companies is now
widely recognized as ethically unacceptable. More and more people and
communities are giving precedence to health and being able to live in a
tobacco-free environment. With all the people and sectors concerned, WHO
will work to promote tobacco-free events which celebrate good health
together with excellence in sports and the arts - a winning combination
for all!
Dr Hiroshi Nakajima
Director-General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) THE
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
(UNESCO), AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) FOR WORLD NO-TOBACCO
DAY 1996
"Play it tobacco-free!"
Good health cannot be taken for granted; its protection and improvement
depend on the active involvement of individuals and communities in many
different activities. The promotion of a tobacco-free environment is one
such activity and the encouragement of cultural, sporting and artistic
events is another. They go together naturally to add vitality and
happiness to our lives.
Each in our own areas of competence, IOC, UNESCO and WHO are working for
human well-being and friendship through sports, culture and health.
World No-Tobacco Day 1996 gives us a special opportunity to join forces
and remind the world that physical and mental well-being is of the
utmost importance to all of us. These two aspects of health are
inseparable and should always be promoted together. To make sports and
the arts even more rewarding, we invite everyone to "Play it
tobacco-free!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH HAZARDS OF TOBACCO: SOME FACTS
* Smokers and non-smokers alike often do not fully appreciate the
health risks of tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking. The
latest epidemiological studies indicate that death rates for smokers
are two to three times higher than for non-smokers at all ages. This
means that half of all smokers will eventually die as a result of
their smoking. If current smoking trends persist, about 500 million
people currently alive, nearly 9% of the world's population, will
eventually die as a result of tobacco.
* People who die from tobacco use do not die only in old age. About
half of all smokers who are killed by tobacco die in middle age. On
average, these smokers who die in middle age lose about 20-25 years
of life expectancy.
About half of all tobacco-related deaths occur at ages 35-69 years,
making tobacco the most important cause of premature death in developed
countries.
* Many of those who die from smoking were not particularly heavy
smokers, but most of them did start smoking in their teenage years.
* Smokers in their thirties and forties have five times as many heart
attacks as non-smokers. Heart attacks are the main way in which
smoking kills young tobacco users. In industrialized countries,
tobacco is responsible for 75-80% of all heart attack deaths in young
smokers under the age of 50.
"No single factor could have as much impact on the rising toll of
cardiovascular deaths around the world as tobacco cessation".
* Lower tar cigarettes do not substantially reduce the risk of heart
attack in smokers.
* In the 1990s, smoking is estimated to be the cause of one in five
male deaths from cardiovascular diseases in developed countries (and
about 6% of female CVD deaths).
* Smoking causes about 30% of all cancer deaths in developed countries
(40-45% of male cancer deaths, and 10-15% of female cancer deaths).
On average, about 90-95% of male lung cancer deaths in developed
countries, and 70-75% of female lung cancer deaths, are due to
smoking.
* If all tobacco-caused cancer deaths could be eliminated, then death
rates from other causes of cancer for men and women would be similar
in different industrialized countries and would have shown a stable,
or even slightly declining trend over the last three or four decades.
* In 1995, WHO estimates that smoking was the cause of about 1.44
million male deaths in developed countries, and 475 000 female deaths
in these countries. This represents one in four male deaths and about
10% of female deaths.
* Between 1950 and 2000, tobacco will have been the cause of over 60
million deaths in the developed countries (52 million men, 10 million
women).
By the end of the 20th century, cigarette smoking will have killed about
62 million people in developed countries: 52 million men, 10 million
women.
* Smoking is already causing about one-sixth of all deaths in developed
countries. This proportion is still rising, mainly due to the
increasing epidemic among women. If the proportion stays at or about
one-sixth, then at least one-sixth of the population will eventually
be killed by tobacco. This means that about 200 million out of the
1.2 billion people living in developed countries will eventually be
killed by tobacco.
* People substantially underestimate the risks of smoking. In
populations, where tobacco use has been common for several decades
(e.g., men in the USA and the UK), tobacco is likely to be the most
important risk of death in middle age. For example, in the United
Kingdom, on average, among 1000 20-year-olds who smoke cigarettes
regularly:
* about one will die from homicide (murder) before age 70
* about six will die from motor vehicle accidents before age 70
* and about 250 will die from smoking before age 70 (plus about another
250 deaths from smoking after age 70).
* In the United States, where homicide and accidents are more common,
the risks would be about six per 1000 from homicide, 12 per 1000 from
traffic crashes, and 250 per 1000 from smoking (all before age 70).
* In the United States, it has been estimated that the annual risk of
death from smoking is about 7000 per million smokers, more than ten
times the risk from alcohol consumption (541 per million drinkers),
60 times the risk of work-related fatalities, over 1000 times the
risk of death from air pollutants and 3500 times the risk of
electrocution.
Smoking Trends
* Cigarettes consumption in developing countries has been rising among
men over the last three or four decades. In some developing
countries, the health effects of this increase in tobacco use are
already evident. For example, in China, smoking is estimated to be
the cause of at least half a million deaths a year, mostly men (per
capita cigarette consumption in China has increased almost four-fold
since the early 1970s).
* Most smokers live in developing countries. Of the 1.1 billion smokers
in the world in the early 1990s, 800 million (70-75%) live in the
developing world.
* In developing countries 50% of men smoke (plus about 8% of women).
The proportions for men and women in the developed countries are 41%
and 21% respectively.
* In developed countries the proportion of female deaths in middle age
due to smoking has increased six-fold since 1955, rising from 2% to
13% by 1995.
* Per capita consumption is falling in the developed countries at about
1.5% per year, but rising in developing countries at about 1.7% per
year. As a result, it is projected that per capita (adult) cigarette
consumption in the developing world will exceed consumption in
developed countries within the next decade.
PASSIVE SMOKING
* Passive smoking is a cause of additional episodes and increased
severity of symptoms in asthmatic children. Asthmatic children are up
to 2.5 times more likely to have their condition worsened by passive
smoking. In the United States alone it is estimated that 200 000 to
one million asthmatic children have their condition worsened by
passive smoking.
* Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS or "passive smoking") is
a risk factor for new cases of asthma in children who have not
previously displayed symptoms.
* The risk of lower respiratory tract diseases (such as croup,
bronchitis and pneumonia) is estimated to be about 50-60% higher in
children exposed to ETS during the first 1-2 years of life, compared
with unexposed children. About 10-15% of lower respiratory tract
disease in young children under 18 months of age is attributable to
passive smoking.
* In children, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is causally
associated with increased prevalence of fluid in the middle ear,
symptoms of upper respiratory tract irritation, and a small but
significant reduction in lung function.
* Environmental tobacco smoke is a cause of lung cancer in lifelong
non-smokers exposed to ETS. Epidemiological studies carried out in
several countries suggest that the lung cancer risk is about 20-30%
higher than for never smokers not exposed to ETS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITMENT TO THE TOBACCO-FREE PROMOTION OF SPORTS AND CULTURE
In the light of the consequences for health associated with the use of
tobacco and its derivative, and desirous of helping to improve the
quality of life,
I undertake not to promote the use of tobacco and its derivatives in
connection with sports and/or cultural events.
Organizers of sports and/or cultural events and the officers of sports
and cultural associations who make this COMMITMENT and apply it in their
work are authorized to use the logo of the "Tobacco or Health" programme
of the World Health Organization in association with World No-Tobacco
Day, 31 May 1996, which will take as its theme "Sport and the arts
without tobacco". The use of the official logo commits users not to
receive a financial or other contribution from tobacco manufacturers in
any form whatsoever and not to undertake any promotion for tobacco by
any direct or indirect allusion to this substance and its derivatives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENDING THE EXPLOITATION OF SPORT AND ARTS TO PROMOTE TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Tobacco-caused diseases result from the actions of a business that is
very lucrative but extremely detrimental to a society as a whole (see
World No-Tobacco Day Advisory Kit 1995). Global experience shows that
tobacco interests will vigorously oppose any tobacco control measures
which could potentially reduce their sales and profits. Tobacco
companies value the positive image given to its products through
associations with sports and cultural events, and have contested any
efforts to discontinue this association.
Tobacco interests can be expected to make many, and often contradictory,
arguments in support of continued product links with sports and arts.
These can include the following arguments:
* Money given to such groups is pure philanthropy and that this
"philanthropy" would cease if they were not able to get promotional
value from the investment.
* The amount of money being spent on these sponsorships is huge.
However, they fail to mention that most of these expenditures are not
for the actual event but for the marketing costs of associating
tobacco products with the event.
* The sports and arts communities depend upon them for their very
existence. However, tobacco interests do not mention the difficult
situation of many accomplished artists and athletes who are
unwillingly put in the position of endorsing the use of an addictive,
harmful product that they would never use, nor want anyone else,
particularly youth, to use.
* Partial restrictions are preferable to a total end to these tobacco
product sponsorships, despite the fact that the nature of promoting
tobacco products is such that any loopholes may be used to circumvent
the intent of the law.
Those working toward healthy public policies can and do take concerted
action against tobacco interests. Leadership can come from many places.
Often, it is committed politicians or public servants who take the lead.
In many countries, nongovernmental health, medical and consumers groups
induce the changes. Key roles are often played by the media through
analysis of the situation, coverage of the debate and editorial support
for freeing sports and the arts from being a tobacco marketing tool.
Religious leaders and spokespeople from the arts and sports community
have also been shown to be able to play critical roles.
The tactics of those promoting the health agenda can vary according to
the nature of the players and the nature of the opposition to public
health improvement. For example, past successes have shown that winning
tactics can include the following:
* A Minister of Health who will make this issue a very high personal
priority.
* Health organizations that make detailed arguments to governmental
bodies concerning the reasons for, and methods of, banning tobacco
associations with sports and the arts.
* Health advocates who vigorously counter the actions of tobacco
interests through news conferences, letters and personal visits to
key politicians, use of advocacy advertising, exposing of tactics by
tobacco interests, and any other measures deemed necessary to protect
public health.
* Cultural and sports personalities and organizations who show
leadership by making a commitment not to promote the use of tobacco,
but to promote healthy lifestyles instead.
There are many lessons which have been learned from all of these
actions. For example, efforts to advance public health may require
political confrontations that require health advocates to get involved
in directly countering those who stand to gain from a strengthened
tobacco presence. In many cases, a combined effort by a coalition of
interested groups has been shown to accomplish more than these groups
could have accomplished working individually. It is also important that
health efforts not be sidetracked by tobacco interests' claims that the
association between sponsorships and tobacco consumption must be clearly
delineated, with standards of proof that are often unattainable, prior
to any restrictions on the marketing of tobacco products. In reality,
with so many lives being at stake and there being reasonable grounds to
believe that positive associations with a product will promote its
consumption, it is important for countries to act as quickly and
comprehensively as possible t o protect the health of their citizens.
TOBACCO CONTROL AND CHILDREN
Tobacco control efforts are often undermined by the promotion of
cigarettes on the most powerful medium to which children are exposed:
television broadcasts of tobacco sponsored sports. In some countries
coverage of such events are regulated by a voluntary agreement between
the tobacco industry and national authorities. One aim of the agreement
is to protect children from the exposure to tobacco promotion by
confining television coverage to events with an adult audience. Yet,
studies have shown many children aged between 9 and 15 claim to see
cigarette advertising on TV. What they are seeing are sporting events
sponsored by tobacco companies: tennis, rugby, motor racing, cricket,
snooker, sailing competitions etc. In surveys of children's attitudes to
smoking, the sponsorship of sports and other events by cigarette
companies is cited as evidence that the Government is not seriously
concerned about the problem of smoking. "If they really want to make us
realise smoking is dangerous, why do they allow all this sponsorship",
is a typical comment. Children see things straight. We should be
straight with them. Sir Donald Maitland, Chairman, Health Education
Authority, UK.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOME EXAMPLES OF SPONSORSHIP OF SPORT AND ARTS BY TOBACCO COMPANIES
As an increasing number of countries are banning various forms of direct
advertising of tobacco products, tobacco companies have been shifting
their attention to indirect promotion of their products by such means as
sponsorship of sports and arts events. For a relatively minor donation
to culture, tobacco companies buy their way into the advertising market,
where they spend millions of dollars ensuring that the public remains
familiar with the colours, logos and images of their brands. Studies
confirm that the small fraction of money that may be received from
tobacco companies for sponsorship of the sports and arts contrasts
strongly with the societal costs that result from tobacco-induced
diseases.
In many cases, sponsorship also allows tobacco companies to reach a
global audience, and is a imaginative way to circumvent advertising bans
of tobacco products on television. Sponsorship is believed to be an
effective way of improving the tobacco industry's image. A positive
association is created between arts, sports and cigarette smoking.
Consumers, especially young people, are encouraged to associate smoking
with high level sport, art and cultural achievement. And so, smoking
continues to be promoted as positive social behaviour and another
generation of new smokers is recruited. And the very lives that sports
and arts are supposed to enhance are hindered by the use of this
hazardous substance.
Motor racing has become a non-stop cigarette commercial
Although tobacco advertisements may be banned on television in a number
of countries, sponsors of sporting events still receive million of
dollars worth of constant television exposure. For the tobacco
companies, the payoff in exposure time for their products is worth far
more than the amount spent on sponsorship. A prime example of this
occurs in motor racing, where the international audience for this sport
is estimated at hundreds of millions of viewers. The prestigious Formula
One Grand Prix is estimated to attract approximately 600 million viewers
each year. Tobacco companies may spend $30 million to sponsor a racing
car, but will receive far more in equivalent television advertising
time. One recent study in the United States found that there were almost
6000 sightings or mentions of tobacco company product names or logos
during a 90 minute broadcast of a major motor racing event. This setting
is also an important venue for the recruitment of new smokers, as motor
racing is a spor t that is popular with young people, who enjoy the
excitement of racing. Although tobacco companies claim that they sponsor
motor racing because it is a sport that is popular with current smokers,
health advocates are disturbed by the fact that motor car racing is
often targeted toward families. The large number of children who attend
the races are exposed to a constant barrage of cigarette advertisements,
including hats and T-shirts displaying the cigarette brand name. In
fact, at a number of recent racing events, clothing bearing tobacco
company logos has been available at souvenir stands in sizes small
enough for six-year-olds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade Journal Advertisement touts the merits of racing car sponsorship
According to a 1994 advertisement in a tobacco industry journal, it is
now possible to sponsor a Formula One racing car "for a fraction of the
cost often associated with Formula One and you can sponsor it on a
race-by-race basis, that suits your marketing strategy." The
advertisement also proclaims that "This Formula One car is the most
powerful advertising space in the world. It will carry your brand to 18
billion TV viewers in 102 countries."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco-free racing car revs up for action
The sport of motor racing has become almost synonymous with tobacco
promotions, with the tobacco industry ensuring that the glamour, speed
and excitement of motor racing is actively associated with smoking.
However, one racing car "the Extinguisher" is challenging these
seductive messages, in the hopes of persuading young people that smoking
is not "stylish and cool". In July 1995, the Silverstone motor racing
circuit in England saw the official launch of Hugo Spowers' tobacco-free
Formula Three racing car, "the Extinguisher", which is backed by the
British anti-tobacco group, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). "The
Extinguisher" carries the international no-smoking symbol as its logo.
Spowers took on this challenge because of his belief that young people
are targeted by the tobacco industry with glamourized images of smoking.
They do not get to hear both sides of the story, and are therefore not
really free to make informed choices about whether or not to smoke. For
example, teenagers are never told that the majority of Formula One
drivers do not smoke, many are actively opposed to smoking, and some do
not even let others smoke in their presence. It is hoped that "the
Extinguisher" will be able to break into the prestigious Formula One
motor racing with sponsorship from non-tobacco companies, with the
anticipation that sponsors will be enthusiastic to be associated with a
positive image in motor racing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco and baseball in the United States
In the early 1980s, the use of oral snuff rose substantially among
baseball players in the United States, following a tobacco industry
marketing campaign that used well-known sports figures to link its use
with high level athletic performance and virility. During that time,
smoking among baseball players dramatically declined, as did the use of
chewing tobacco, but the dipping of moist snuff gradually increased. The
increase was also attributed to the proliferation of free samples of
snuff that appeared in baseball clubhouses.
Of major concern was the finding that an unprecedented 45% of the
premier professional athletes in the United States, who serve as role
models for aspiring youth, use smokeless tobacco. Most of them use the
moist snuff products, which are high in nicotine and potent
cancer-causing chemicals. Millions of adolescents have copied these
professional role models, with further enticement by tobacco company's
extensive use of point-of-purchase displays, wide distribution of free
snuff samples and sponsorship of sports and cultural events. Even with
the broadcast ban for advertising tobacco products, manufacturers of
these products receive extensive free advertising by virtue of the many
close-up shots of baseball players using smokeless tobacco during
televised games.
Studies in 1991 found that approximately 5 million Americans used snuff,
nearly all of them male, and the largest segment 18-24 years old. There
appears to be the illusion that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative
to cigarettes; however, long-term users of snuff are more than 50 times
more likely to get oral cancer than non-users.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Positive strides have recently been made in throwing tobacco out of
baseball in the United States
As of 15 June 1993, the use of smokeless tobacco was formally banned in
all minor league clubhouses, with fines infringed for violations.
In addition, a number of Major League Baseball parks ban smoking in the
seating areas and a significant number of clubs have a ban on tobacco
advertisements in the ballpark.
A major league team in California has banned all players from carrying
snuff or chewing tobacco while in uniform, and another team has banned
tobacco advertising in their programme.
There was also a ban on the use of smokeless tobacco in a college
championship series. Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the
National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Dental Research,
has launched an anti-snuff campaign, which includes the use of high
profile players who have given up the use of snuff.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billboards
In sports arenas around the world, tobacco companies promote their
products on huge billboards, which are often placed in key positions to
be seen in television broadcasts. Even where mandatory health warnings
have been installed on the billboards, the warnings are difficult to
read in the arena, and are virtually invisible when viewed from a
television screen.
In some cities, health advocates have successfully challenged the
placement of billboards in sports arenas. In a recent settlement with
the United States Justice Department, a multinational tobacco company
agreed to remove tobacco advertisements from areas which frequently
appear during television broadcasts of baseball games. For example, a
tobacco billboard at one stadium was moved to a less visible place from
its previous location under a huge video screen. Other major league
sports associations also agreed to restrict tobacco advertising in their
arenas and stadiums to areas that would normally not be picked up by
television cameras. However if baseball teams agree that the billboards
are a bad influence on children watching the game on television, then
should they not also agree that it is a bad influence on children who
are watching the game at the stadium?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BREAKING FREE FROM TOBACCO COMPANY SPONSORSHIPS
The tobacco industry has made extensive use of leisure settings for
marketing their products, creating a positive association between
leisure and tobacco. Consumers have been encouraged to associate smoking
with high profile stars and outstanding physical performances. However,
it is now time for health advocates to turn the tables and to learn some
lessons from the tobacco industry. Health groups can take advantage of
the natural and positive connection between health and leisure.
Partnerships between health promotion and the leisure sector have great
potential, and there are now successful examples of how these two
sectors have developed strong alliances for undertaking health
promotion.
Health education is a comprehensive process, and the social environment
plays a key role in determining use or non-use of tobacco products. When
sports and cultural activities are directly associated with health,
leisure can become a cost-effective means of promoting health, for those
present at the event as well as those who view the event on television.
Health promotion activity in leisure settings offers targeted access to
audiences difficult to reach through traditional health promotion
methods. Instead of sports and cultural events being used to recruit
smokers, they instead can be used to promote the benefits of a
smoke-free and healthy lifestyle.
Since 1987, the state of Victoria, in Australia has taken a leading role
in creatively undermining tobacco promotions and sponsorship. The state
has legislation which not only bans tobacco sponsorship, but has also
created a Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), funded by revenue
from a special levy on cigarettes. In addition to funding numerous other
health promotion activities and an ongoing QUIT smoking campaign, a
portion of this revenue also provides funding to sports and cultural
associations that might otherwise have depended upon tobacco companies
for support.
Over 1000 sports and arts organizations have received funding from
VicHealth in exchange for promoting health messages. For example,
Australian Rules Football is one of the organizations that has sponsored
the QUIT anti-smoking campaign. Sponsorships such as these have been
recognized as unique opportunities to get the health message across to
particular segments of the population, such as blue-collar workers, who
may be difficult to reach. In addition, all events are held in
smoke-free venues. Many sports, previously synonymous with tobacco
promotion have now become partners with the Foundation in providing
significant opportunities to link sports with health.
The Genesis of the Victoria Health Promotion Foundation :
One of the key factors in the initiation of the Victoria Health
Promotion Foundation was that both the incumbent Health Minister and the
Opposition Minister for Health wanted to take measures towards increased
tobacco control. With the support of the Anti-Cancer Council of
Victoria, events began to take shape relatively quickly. The issue was
brought to the attention of the public through numerous articles in the
press, through television campaigns, and with public debates. During
debates, health proponents gained ground by continuing to keep the
debate focused on the health issues. In addition, the newsletter of the
Anti-Cancer Society, which is sent to 140,000 people, appealed to donors
to write a letter to their legislator (or visit their legislator in
person) to support increased tobacco control measures. Legislators were
deluged with communications, more than on any other issue previously.
In order to formally assess public support for a ban on tobacco
sponsorship, an opinion poll was conducted. Results indicated that a
majority of the population would approve of a ban on tobacco
sponsorship, but many of these positive responses were contingent on the
government providing alternative funding to replace the tobacco industry
funds. Key government decision makers and their advisers were targeted,
and efforts were made to obtain their support. As the results of the
public opinion polls were favourable, these findings were used to sway
the legislators who were hesitant to support increased tobacco control.
The health groups had wisely broken down the issues by voter intention
so that they were ahead of politicians in knowing public opinion. Thus,
the legislators could not then say that their voters would not support
them if they took an anti-tobacco stance. Others, such as business and
religious leaders were also helpful in persuading legislators to support
tobacco control.
Health advocates in Victoria employed another strategy to call attention
to the tobacco problem. Using information from the Cancer Registry they
determined the total number of tobacco-related deaths for each
municipality and then compared the number of tobacco deaths to deaths
from other causes, such as alcohol and other drugs. Each municipality
was also compared with the state average. This information, published in
a number of pamphlets, was sent to every municipal council member as
well as to prominent newspaper editors and other media sources. This
strategy achieved considerable media attention, including a series of
newspaper articles which stressed the need to take action against
tobacco immediately. In 1987, the Victoria Health Promotion Foundation
was launched. Due to its success, it has been emulated by most of the
other states in Australia, and is being considered in a number of
countries around the world. In working toward the fruition of VicHealth,
all of these above-mentio ned activities were conducted in a relatively
inexpensive manner, with a full-time staff of about three. The most
important components, however, were perseverance, a bit of imagination,
and a commitment towards achieving a goal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOBBYING FOR LIVES: POLITICAL ACTION FOR TOBACCO-FREE SPORT AND ARTS
The tobacco industry has profited greatly from its promotions of sports
and cultural events, and this is why tobacco interests are so keen to
keep sponsorship as a viable option.
Sponsorships create a comfort level for the decision to smoke,
implicitly suggesting that significant organizations and influential
role models are comfortable with their association with tobacco products
and the risks they entail. Although many artists and athletes are
strongly opposed to tobacco sponsorship, some are reluctant to speak
out, either because they feel indebted to the industry that supports
them, or because they do not with to criticise colleagues involved with
tobacco-sponsored events. However, an increasing number of prominent
personalities have taken a bold stand against being associated with
tobacco interests. Some have spoken out individually. For example in
early 1984 the Canadian world champion skier, Steve Podborski, won a
major race and on national television, refused to accept a trophy from
the tobacco company sponsoring the event. Others have expressed their
views as part of a coalition, such as the over 250 leading members of
the arts community in Canada who signed a petition to support tobacco
control legislation which would ban tobacco sponsorship of the sports
and cultural events. The efforts of these well-known personalities to
counter tobacco interests and to promote a healthier lifestyle do not go
unnoticed. In fact, their efforts are often highlighted by the media and
serve to bring about public debate on the issue. Examples from around
the world attest to the influence that their contributions have made
towards improved tobacco control policies and programmes.
Members of the arts community speak out about tobacco industry sponsorship
In 1987, legislation which would bring about increased tobacco control
measures was being considered by the Canadian Parliament. One aspect of
this bill called for a ban on sports and arts sponsorship by tobacco
companies. In an attempt to defeat this bill, the tobacco industry
quickly hired the services of a public relations firm to mobilize a
group of prominent Canadian artists to voice their opposition to the
proposed bill. However, when health proponents learned of these plans, a
counter-offensive, coordinated by a Canadian nongovernmental
organization, was rapidly orchestrated.
Further investigation revealed that most of the artists who were
opposing the proposed legislation were tied in some way to tobacco
interests. The majority of the sports and arts community, however, did
not like these associations. Two representatives of the art community
were hired to contact their associates to obtain support for the
proposed legislation. The vast majority of those contacted were found to
actually favour the legislation, which they believed would help make
tobacco products less attractive for youth. Within a few days, 250
leading members of the arts community had signed a petition addressed to
members of Parliament in support of the proposed legislation. This
petition stated:
"We wish to appeal to those within our community who, perhaps as a
result of misinformation provided by the tobacco industry, have
expressed opposition to this legislation. The arts must not be used to
legitimize the tobacco industry." ...." If the arts exists to ennoble
mankind, it follows that the arts community cannot allow itself to be
used to block or subvert a bill designed to safeguard the health and
lives of future generations. That is too high a price to pay. No arts
activity is worth that cost".
This petition was reproduced in a number of prominent Canadian
newspapers. In response to the press conference held by the tobacco
industry-sponsored gathering of artists, the health promoting coalition
of artists held their own news conference, in a room directly across the
hall. With some quick action, it was possible to effectively demonstrate
the entertainment community's overwhelming support for public health
interests over the vested interests of tobacco companies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Athletes for Tobacco-Free Sport
In the late 1980s, concerted efforts were underway in New Zealand to
bring about passage of its Smokefree Environments Bill. When the New
Zealand Coalition Against Tobacco Advertising and Promotion began
working toward achieving a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion,
this alarmed the country's tobacco industry. The industry launched
"Sports Persons for Freedom in Sport", in a move to create a pro-tobacco
movement that appeared to come from the athletes themselves. This move
was potentially effective in a country where sporting heroes are
idolised. However, their impact was counteracted by the launch of
"Athletes for Tobacco Free Sport", and the introduction of the
Commonwealth Games medal winners into the pro-health side of the debate.
In part, due to their support, New Zealand passed the Smokefree
Environment Act in 1990.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball star takes a pioneering stand against tobacco in 1909
Honus Wagner was considered by many to be the greatest shortstop in US
major league baseball history. When he retired in 1917, he had scored
more runs, made more hits and had stolen more bases than any other
player in history, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Throughout his career, Wagner was one of the most beloved men in
baseball. He took his position as a role model seriously, and younger
players, fans, and especially children looked up to him. In 1909, when
the American Tobacco Company included a baseball card with his picture
on it as a premium giveaway with the purchase of their brand of
cigarettes, Wagner objected. Wagner, who did not smoke was afraid that
the card would be interpreted by children as an endorsement of smoking,
and insisted that American Tobacco withdraw it. Incidently, Wagner's
heroic stance left only a few cards in circulation, ensuring that his
would be the most valuable baseball card of all time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Rominger, Switzerland
Tony Rominger is one of the world's leading bicycle racers. He is a
winner of the Tour of Italy (Giro d'Italia) and always a contender for
the Tour de France. He is also the world's fastest man in one hour on a
bicycle, having set the world record at 55.291 kilometres in one hour in
1994. But Tony Rominger is more than an accomplished athlete. He speaks
four languages and is an ambassador for healthy lifestyles. He has lent
his name to posters showing him in full racing flight on his bicycle,
bearing the tag line "Non-smokers: always one hour ahead." As a champion
athlete, Rominger is admired by many young people. By lending his name
to anti-smoking campaigns, he helps immeasurably in promotional efforts
to prevent tobacco use among young people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vreni Schneider nominated non-smoker of the year in 1994
The Olympic champion skier, Vreni Schneider, has been nominated
non-smoker of the year by the assembly of delegates of the Swiss
Association of Non-smokers (ASN) and its Active Non-smokers Group of the
Canton of Vaud (GNFA). The queen of the slopes doesn't need to smoke in
order to win!
Each year, the ASN makes this award to a personality or an institution
from politics, sport or culture, to thank them for their commitment to a
life without tobacco. In previous years, the award has gone to Claude
Nicollier, the first Swiss astronaut (1993); Franco Knie, the circus
director (1992); and Flavio Cotti, the president of the Confederation
(1991).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING HEALTH PROMOTION THROUGH SPORT AND ARTS SPONSORSHIP
The World Bank has made it clear that investment in health promotion and
disease prevention strategies represent the most cost effective way to
improve the health of the world's people. Finding the money to invest in
health promotion is often a problem, especially for countries that have
other priorities competing for funding. However, the VicHealth model
exemplifies a way of taxing the most harmful disease-creating products
to promote good health. The tax, which is widely supported by the
public, achieves many positive health goals at once. The increased price
of cigarettes causes a disincentive to smoke, especially among young
people. Additionally, a portion of the revenue from this tax can be
dedicated to improving health, and in particular, towards
tobacco-control activities and programmes. A tobacco tax dedicated to
health promotion also sends a significant symbolic message to the
tobacco industry regarding tobacco control policy objectives. With a
dedicated tax, money for tobacco control and sponsorship replacement
would not compete with other claims on the health budget.
There are a number of possible options for funding health promotion
activities, and each country must take into account its unique
institutional and cultural features when planning the ideal method for
generating health promotion funds. One method for generating funding
would be through dedicated taxes on tobacco products. For example, as an
integral component of comprehensive tobacco control programmes, an
excise tax could be levied on tobacco products. As proven by a number of
studies, the increased price of tobacco products would also discourage
consumption, particularly among youth, and the funds could be used to
finance Health Promotion Foundations, such as in many Australian states.
Dedicated excise taxes can also be used to fund anti-tobacco health
education even if a full range of tobacco control measures have not yet
been implemented. Examples of where this has been successfully applied
include the states of California and Massachusetts, in the United
States. It would also be possible to obtain funding for tobacco control
activities by taxing tobacco company profits or tobacco advertising.
Another possibility for funding health promotion activities would be
through general taxation revenue, also in the context of a comprehensive
tobacco control programme. These expenditures can then be offset by
revenue from increased tobacco excise taxes, a model which is being used
very successfully in New Zealand. The expenditures can alternatively be
offset by taxes on tobacco company profits, as in Canada. As exemplified
in Geneva, it may also be possible to use funds from general taxation
revenue, without instituting strategies to offset this revenue. To
replace tobacco sponsorship, it may also be possible to encourage
private companies, particularly those involved in the realm of leisure
products or services, to join in partnership to fund activities which
previously were dominated by tobacco sponsorship.
Australia
In 1988, the state of South Australia introduced limits on tobacco
advertising along lines similar to the state of Victoria and established
Foundation South Australia. The Foundation promotes sport, culture, and
good health. In Western Australia, which is renowned for having the
longest "QUIT" campaign, legislation has been passed to restrict tobacco
advertising. The Healthway Health Promotion Foundation was established
in this state in the late 1980s. In 1989, the Australian Capital
Territory established a Health Promotion Fund, which was financed by a
proportion of tobacco licensing fees. Funds were used to support health
promotion campaigns and to replace tobacco sponsorship of a variety of
activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Zealand
Another effective sponsorship strategy was achieved in New Zealand,
where comprehensive tobacco control legislation, which banned nearly all
forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship was instituted
under the Smokefree Environments Act in 1990. New Zealand's
comprehensive tobacco control policy also included tobacco tax increases
to discourage tobacco consumption. Also established under this Act was
the Health Sponsorship Council, which has come to be known to the
general public as Lifespan Smokefree. Smokefree, which is funded from
general taxation revenue, is able to perform like a sponsor in its own
right, promoting its own health messages. Lifespan Smokefree works to
encourage New Zealanders to choose and enjoy healthy lifestyles. This is
achieved through an innovative approach to health marketing involving
sponsoring selected sporting and cultural events. Smokefree has gained
considerable profile in recent years through the role it plays in
replacing the sponsorship o f sports, such as soccer and motor rallies,
which had previously been sponsored by tobacco companies. As of June
1995, the Council took control of these sponsorships, connecting them
with health messages such as Smokefree. The Council is working towards
establishing a smokefree lifestyle as the social norm. Efforts are made
to target two important high-risk groups: youth (particularly young
women) and Maori people. Smokefree is attempting to turn the tables by
promoting the image that non-smoking is cool. Smokefree sponsors a
number of events throughout the country including: school rock music
competitions, music and dance performances, aerobic championships,
choral competitions, rugby competitions, as well as high-profile events
such as a televised 30-week Smokefree Sport Series.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIPRET
Creative use of health sponsorship is also possible in countries that as
of yet do not have legislative restriction on tobacco advertising and
sponsorship. For example, in Geneva, Switzerland, a local government
agency, CIPRET (the Centre for Information on Smoking Prevention) has
adopted a creative approach to health sponsorship, with the
determination to fight on the same grounds as those promoting the use of
tobacco. CIPRET receives substantial subsidies from the Public Health
Directorate, under the Department of Social Action and Health of Geneva.
The Chairman of the Department, State Councillor Mr Guy-Oliver Segond,
has offered his political support and provided for financial resources
drawn from general taxation revenue to the organization. It is
especially noteworthy that the canton of Geneva does not levy any taxes
on tobacco, and all tobacco tax revenue is collected by the Swiss
federal government. CIPRET has sponsored a number of carefully chosen
sport and cultural activities including rock concerts, a long-distance
car rally team, a racing yacht, a basketball team, a motorcycle racer,
and a fencer. In 1995, CIPRET sponsored an international "Supercross"
race, which had been named in the past after a well-known brand of
cigarettes. At the sponsored events, positive messages help promote the
benefits of a tobacco-free life. CIPRET also maintains a constant
presence at community and cultural events, ranging from health fairs to
car shows. Active participation at these events can thus be a very
valuable and cost effective health promotion strategy, and can serve to
counter sponsorship efforts by the tobacco industry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USING SPORT AND ARTS TO PLAY IT TOBACCO-FREE: SOME LOW BUDGET SUCCESSES
A number of countries have demonstrated that even when resources are
limited, there are still many low budget possibilities for using sports
or cultural events to promote healthy non-smoking lifestyles. In
particular, the creative energy of young people lends itself well to
creative events which promote a tobacco-free life. Several countries
have reported success with art, poster, or essay competitions, in which
young people have a chance to develop original anti-smoking messages.
Sports festivals, fun runs, displays of dance or other sports, with an
anti-smoking theme have also proven popular. Many organizations have
reported increased participation by holding their events in areas such
as shopping centres, town squares or other common meeting places where
crowds can be attracted. These types of events have shown that even with
a limited budget, it is possible to counter the often ubiquitous
marketing ploys of tobacco companies in their attempts to seduce young
people into a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
International Anti-smoking Youth Festival
In July 1994, the First International Anti-smoking Youth Festival was
held in Athens, Greece. Hosted by the Hellenic Action Against Cancer,
this event offered young people a chance to produce original creative
work with an anti-smoking theme in many fields of artistic endeavour.
Prizes were awarded for the best presentations on a tobacco-free theme
in the following categories:
essay/prose or poetry
drawings
photographs
comics
cartoons
music
dance
theatre
One hundred and sixteen contestants from 21 countries submitted original
works on the anti-smoking theme. Due to the success of the first
festival, plans are currently underway for the 2nd International
Anti-smoking Youth Festival in September 1996. For this event,
participants aged 15-25 years old are invited to express themselves by
creating their own anti-smoking messages in one of the forms listed
above. Winners will receive a trip to Greece to present their work
during the performance.
For further information contact:
S. Vassilaros, President
Hellenic Action Against Cancer, 4, Semitelou Str. 115
28 Athens, Greece
Tel: (30) 1 777 4122 Fax: (30) 1 778 8698
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bulgaria
In 1995, a national poster competition was held in Bulgaria in which
youth between the ages of 6-14 were invited to submit drawings and
paintings on the theme "Life without tobacco is better". A total of 130
children from all over the country participated in the event. The
contest was carried out under the auspices of the Italian National
Nongovernmental Association against AIDS and Tumours, in collaboration
with Bulgaria's Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education,
Science and Technologies, with sponsorship by a Bulgarian confectionary
company. The competition offered an opportunity for children to
artistically express their perspectives toward the tobacco problem by
creating original examples of healthy alternatives to tobacco use. The
event lasted for about two months, with the final celebration and press
conference coinciding with the 1995 World No-Tobacco Day. On this day,
the children were presented with their awards, with top entries and
their parents receiving a week-lon g visit to Italy. The competition and
the award ceremony received extensive media attention. The event served
the purpose of not only encouraging and rewarding artistic expression
among the young, but it also helped to increase awareness both among
young people and the general public about the negative consequences of
tobacco use and the need to take appropriate measures to protect
children from the hazards of tobacco. Due to the success of the event,
plans are underway for a similar contest to be held in 1996.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO COMMENDS SMOKE-FREE OLYMPICS AND CALLS ON ALL INTERNATIONAL SPORTS
EVENTS TO BE SMOKE-FREE
Athletes train vigourously to reach a peak of performance at the time of
the Olympic Games. This performance can be compromised significantly by
exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), which is harmful to
spectators of athletic events as well. As a celebration of human health
and physical fitness, the Olympic Games are incompatible with smoking.
They are also the largest, most prominent and the most viewed of all
sporting events. The model that is set at the Olympics will influence
the sports community throughout the world. The 1988 Winter Olympic Games
held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were the world's first smoke-free
Olympic Games. Since then, all Olympic Games, both winter and summer,
have been smoke-free. In keeping with this smoke-free tradition,
organizers of the Atlanta Olympics have banned smoking in all arenas and
stadiums. Smoking will also be restricted in the International Broadcast
Center, where 15 000 reporters will work during the Games. The Games
will have designated smoking areas. In addition, the advertising and
promotion of tobacco products will be prohibited, including distribution
of free samples, coupons and other promotional items. Sponsorship of the
Olympic Games by tobacco companies is prohibited, and the sale of
tobacco products will be restricted within all venues whenever possible.
Sports have a natural link to a healthy lifestyle, as physical fitness
is often a prerequisite for top achievements, and many athletes
consequently refrain from using tobacco. Thus, athletes can often serve
as role models for children and young people. Tobacco-free policies have
already proven successful at a number of international sporting events.
WHO applauds the efforts of all those who have helped bring these
tobacco-free policies to fruition. It is now the time to go forward with
these ideas, and to break all associations with tobacco. It is time for
all countries to work towards banning broadcasts of tobacco advertising
masquerading as sports sponsorship. WHO also recommends legislation
which would prohibit smoking in sports premises, during international as
well as local sporting events. Changes that occur in these areas will go
a long way towards the achievement of a society where non-tobacco use is
the social norm. And when that occurs, we will all be the winners.
Smoke-Free Olympic Games
1988 Calgary
1988 Seoul
1992 Barcelona
1992 Albertville
1994 Lillehammer
1994 Atlanta
The World's first Smoke-Free World Championship in Athletics, Gothenburg
1995, was launched by Sweden's Institute of Public Health and the
Swedish Medical Association. It immediately received the backing of the
Swedish Athletics Federation, whereupon the International Athletics
Federation declared the 1995 Athletics World Championships a smoke-free
event. Separate specially designated areas were available for those who
wished to smoke. However, smoking was not allowed in any of the stands,
the track and field area, the changing-rooms, the press centre or in the
public premises in the stadium. Tobacco sales were banned inside the
arena as well as any advertising and marketing of tobacco. Nearby
pharmacies with expanded hours of operation had available a supply of
nicotine substitutes, such as chewing gum and patches. An information
tent, manned almost round the clock provided information on a number of
non-smoking themes. A survey carried out consequent to the Games found
that the major ity of smokers supported the smoke-free event.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIST OF WHO PUBLICATIONS ON TOBACCO OR HEALTH
CONTROLLING THE SMOKING EPIDEMIC
* Report of the WHO Expert Committee on Smoking Control. Technical
Report Series 636. World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1979. Available
in English, French, Spanish and Russian.
SMOKING CONTROL STRATEGIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
* Report of the WHO Expert Committee. Technical Report Series 695.
World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1983. Available in English,
French, and Spanish.
SMOKELESS TOBACCO CONTROL
* Report of the WHO Study Group. Technical Report Series 773. World
Health Organisation, Geneva, 1988. Available in English, French,
Spanish and Russian.
WOMEN AND TOBACCO
* World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1992. Available in English,
French, Spanish and Japanese.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO COMBAT THE WORLD TOBACCO EPIDEMIC
* Second edition. Ruth Roemer. World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1993.
Available in English; French and Spanish in preparation.
SMOKE FREE EUROPE
* A series of 10 booklets published 1988-91 covering all tobacco
control elements. WHO Regional Office for Europe. Available in
English, French, German and Russian.
IT CAN BE DONE. A SMOKE-FREE EUROPE. REPORT OF THE FIRST EUROPEAN
CONFERENCE ON TOBACCO POLICY. MADRID, 7-11 NOVEMBER 1988
* WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1990. Available in English.
TOBACCO HABITS OTHER THAN SMOKING : BETEL-QUID AND ARECA-NUT CHEWING :
AND SOME RELATED NITROSAMINES
* IARC Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of
chemicals to humans. Volume 37. International Agency for Research on
Cancer. World Health Organisation, Lyon, 1985. Available in English.
TOBACCO SMOKING
* IARC Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of
chemicals to humans. Volume 38. International Agency for Research on
Cancer. World Health Organisation, Lyon, 1986. Available in English.
TOBACCO USE : A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH HAZARD
* Proceedings of an International Meeting, D.G. Zaridze and R. Peto
(editors). IARC Scientific Publications No. 74. International Agency
for Research on Cancer. World Health Organisation, Lyon, 1986.
Available in English.
OVERALL EVALUATIONS OF CARCINOGENITY. AN UPDATING OF IARC MONOGRAPHS
* IARC Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of
chemicals to humans. Volume No. 1-42. Supplement 7. International
Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organisation, Lyon, 1987.
Available in English.
ENVIRONMENTAL CARCINOGENS. METHODS OF ANALYSIS AND EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT.
VOLUME 9 - PASSIVE SMOKING
* I.K. O'Neill, K.D. Brunnemann, B. Dodet and D. Hoffmann (editors).
International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health
Organisation, Lyon, 1987. Available in English.
WORLD HEALTH STATISTICS ANNUAL, 1990
* World Health Organisation, Geneva, 1991. Available in English and French.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO TO CONTACT IN WHO
For further information, please contact :
WHO headquarters
Mr. Neil E. Collishaw
Tobacco or Health
Programme on Substance Abuse
World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel : (22) 791 21 11
Fax : (22) 791 07 46/791 48 51
WHO Regional Office for Africa
Dr. L. Sanwogou
Regional Adviser on Health Education (HED)
P.O. Box No. 6, Brazzaville, Congo
Tel : (242) 83 91 11
Fax : (242) 83 94 00
WHO Regional Office for the Americas
Dr. Enrique Madrigal
Regional Adviser on Drug Abuse
525, 23rd Street, N.W., Washington. D.C. 20037
United States of America
Tel : (1) 202 861 32 00
Fax : (1) 202 223 59 71
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
Dr. M. Al Khateeb
Regional Adviser in Public information and Education for Health P.O.
Box 1517, Alexandria 21511, Egypt
Tel : (203) 48 202 23 or 48 202 24
Fax : (203) 48 38 916
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Dr. Peter Anderson
Acting Regional Adviser for the Action Plan for a Tobacco-free Europe
8, Scherfigsvej, 2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark
Tel : (45) 39 17 14 35
Fax : (45) 39 17 18 18
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia
Dr. Helmut L. Sell
Regional Adviser on Health & Behaviour
or Mr. J. Tuli, Public Information Officer
World Health House, Indraprastha Estate
Mahatma Gandhi Road, New Delhi 110002, India
Tel : (91) 11 331 7804 or 11 331 7823
Fax : (91) 11 331 8607 or 11 332 7972
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Dr. Rosmarie Erben
Regional Adviser in Health Promotion
P.O. Box 2932, 1099 Manila, Philippines
Tel : (632) 521 8421
Fax : (632) 521 1036
International Olympic Committee
Mr Fekrou Kidane
International Olympic Committee
Chateau de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel : (41 21) 621 61 11
Fax : (41 21) 621 62 16
UNESCO
Ms Anna Maria Barthes
UNESCO
7 Place de Fontenoy
75352 Paros O7
France
Tel : (33 1) 45 68 10 00
Fax : (33 1) 45 67 16 90
============================================================================