Each year, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and partners mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. PAHO/WHO seek to bring a level of awareness across countries as it relates to the dangers of tobacco use and also campaign for higher taxes to be placed on tobacco products to limit/reduce cigarette sales.
The PAHO/WHO is calling for nominations of individuals or organizations in America to be honoured as part of the 2015 World No Tobacco Day Awards. The awards are relative to accomplishments in the area of tobacco control and will be presented on World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2015.
Nominations are invited from all six WHO regions and are expected to follow the guidelines provided. The final decision on award winners rests with the respective WHO Regional Directors and the WHO Director-General. There will be a maximum of six World No Tobacco Day awards per region. Two awardees may be selected to receive a WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award.
