Create smoke free environment to protect peoples health: WHO

New Delhi, May 31 (UNI) The World Health Organisation has called upon countries to create 100 per cent smoke-free environments to protect people, especially children and women, from the dreadful effects of exposure to passive smoking.

On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day today WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Samlee Plianbangchang urged governments, institutions, communities, professional bodies and organized groups, to recognize the widespread problem of tobacco use and to deal with it effectively.

''We must protect the health of millions of children and adults who are constantly exposed to tobacco smoke in homes, workplaces and public places. We need to redouble our efforts to enforce and monitor regularly, the existing rules and regulations on smoke-free places. On the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day on 31 May, I appeal to all governments to develop and strengthen their policies and legislative measures for creating 100 per cent smoke-free environments at all indoor public places, and to enforce the same.

WHO is ready to support the efforts of the governments in this regard,'' he said.

According to the Regional Director, the campaign for creating smoke-free environments is gaining ground across the Region with a growing number of countries declaring public places as smoke-free.

This year's No Tobacco theme is Smoke-free environments, with the slogan, 'Smoke-free inside create and enjoy 100 per cent smoke-free environments.' The focus is on protecting people from the ill-effects of second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke which is very dangerous to health. Second-hand smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals, including 250 well-known cancer causing agents.

Tobacco smoking causes serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, leading to premature death.

According to Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Member States are required to adopt and implement legislative measures for protecting people from exposure to tobacco smoke. This includes indoor workplaces, public transport, and, as appropriate, other public places. In South-East Asia Region, ten out of 11 countries have ratified the WHO Framework Convention, and necessary laws and regulations have been enacted, as per stipulations of the Convention, he said.

More UNI