What: On World No Tobacco Day (31 May), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on national leaders to be extra vigilant against the increasingly aggressive attacks by the industry which undermine policies that protect people from the harms of tobacco. Tobacco kills almost 6 million people every year and is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death around the world. More countries are moving to fully meet their obligations under the 2003 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Governments are working to create 100% smoke-free, enclosed work and public places; to inform the public of tobacco harms through large and strong pictorial warning on tobacco packages; and to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. The tobacco industry however, is hard at work to undermine the treaty, including taking governments to court. In fact, the governments of Australia, Norway and Uruguay are currently battling tobacco industry law suits in their national courts. PAHO organizes this event to discuss the Tobacco Industry interference in Latin American and the Caribbean, tobacco Industry interference in the USA, and Alcohol Industry Tactics and Plan.
When: Thursday, 31st May, 2012, 2:00pm — 4:00pm
Where: Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC
Who:
- Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, PAHO Senior Advisor, Mental Health
- Dr. Jon Andrus, PAHO Deputy Director,
- Stella Aguinaga-Bialous, PAHO/WHO Consultant, Tobacco Industry interference in Latin American and the Caribbean
- Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Tobacco Industry interference in the USA,
- David H. Jernigan PhD; Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and
- Kelle Louaillier, Executive Director, Corporate Accountability International, Alcohol Industry Tactics and Plan
How: In person or online via Elluminate link English and Spanish
