World No Tobacco Day

Globally tobacco kills 6 million people each year, of that more than 600,000 are non-smokers affected by second-hand smoke. Without action, by 2030 the epidemic will kill more than 8 million per year and more than 80% of those deaths will be of those living in low- and middle-income countries.

 

On May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) and it's partners recognize World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). This year, the focus is on ending the illegal trade of tobacco products worldwide.

 

Although it may seem like small problem, illegal tobacco trade affects health as well as economic growth and illegal tobacco sales aren't just happening in some countries. Almost all countries worldwide are affected by illegal tobacco trade with as much as one in every 10 cigarettes consumed globally.  

 

 

The World No Tobacco Day 2015 campaign is focusing it's efforts on the 5 main goals below.

1. Raise awareness on the harm to people's health caused by the illicit trade in tobacco products, especially the youth and low-income groups, due to the increased accessibility and affordability of these products due to their lower costs.
2. Show how health care gains and programs, tobacco control policies, like increased tax and prices, pictorial health warnings and other measures are undermined by the illicit trade in tobacco products.
3. Demonstrate how the tobacco industry has been involved in the illicit trade of tobacco products.
4. Highlight how the illicit trade of tobacco products is a means of amassing great wealth for criminal groups to finance other organized crime activities, including drugs, human and arms trafficking, as well as terrorism
5. Promote the ratification of, accession to and use of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products by all Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its early entry into force through the active involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

 

Join the campaign and raise awareness through social media to amp up the message and help curb illegal tobacco trade.

 

This blog is a summary of information from the WHO World No Tobacco Day 2015 Campaign. To learn more visit, http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2015/en/.

Spring Fun with the Winnebago FACT Group

This spring the Winnebago FACT group has been taking their FACTivims to outside and using their outdoor voices. From sprucing up the Sundial in downtown Oshkosh to chalking sidewalks with the FACT Movement message outside Maplewood Middle School in Menasha the group has been loving the warmer weather and sunshine.

Cigarette butts are the number one littered item on U.S. roadways and on beaches/waterways worldwide and our group wanted to make a dent in that litter. The FACT Crew put on gloves and got to work. In just thirty minutes they had collected BAGS of cigarette butts and helped get the Sundial park in downtown Oshkosh ready for spring. Take a look at all those happy helpers in the below picture.

The Winnebago FACT group also chalked up the sidewalks in Menasha at Maplewood Middle School. They used sidewalk chalk to spread the truth about tobacco while bringing attention to the dangers of using tobacco. The FACT Crew had a blast writing messages and talking with their classmates when they stopped by to ask about the messages. It's always a great day for a jumping picture and spreading the truth about tobacco!

If you know of any one in 7th- 12th grade who might be interested in joining FACT send us an email at rethink@co.winnebago.wi.us, call 920-232-3000, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.