The tobacco companies want our children.

According to the World Health Organization, the majority of smokers take up the habit before they graduate high school.

Almost 25 percent of these smoked their first cigarette before they were 10 years old.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day (WNTD); this year’s theme, “Tobacco-free Youth,” spotlights the tobacco industry’s unrelenting marketing to young people.

Policy-makers, nongovernmental agencies (like ADRA), young people, and the public must take an active role to make this happen.

How can we stop the tobacco industry’s subversive attack on our children? Download the WNTD Activity Sheet for ideas, and help us make a stand against big tobacco.

Together, we CAN make a difference in the fight against youth smoking.

Join ADRA in observing World No Tobacco Day on Saturday, May 31, 2008.



Poster
Activity Sheet
Announcement
WHY A TOTAL BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP?
  • About half the children of the world live in countries that do not ban free distribution of tobacco products to them.
  • Only total and comprehensive bans can be effective in reducing tobacco consumption.
  • National-level studies before and after advertising bans found a decline in tobacco consumption of up to 16%.
  • Partial bans have little or no impact on demand since advertising can be switched to alternative media.

Direct and indirect tobacco advertising is conducted in numerous ways via: television; radio; Internet; magazines; banners, posters and hoardings; direct mail; coupons; sweepstake offers; brand stretching; brand loyalty programs; sponsorship of sports; sponsorship of specialized entertainment events in popular youth locations such as bars and clubs; and controlled circulation magazines distributed to those on the tobacco industry's large mailing list.

Source: World Health Organization, www.who.int