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When the World
Health Organization launched World No Tobacco Day in 1999, world-renowned
photographer Ashvin Gatha designed a symbol for its campaign. The
orchid in the ashtray presents an alternative: life and flower instead
of death and ash, says Gatha, a former smoker, about his work. The
image reminds us of our choice between tobacco or health; life or
death.
For World No Tobacco Day 2001, the orchid remains the symbol of
a tobacco-free world, but the ashtray is gone. Keeping the orchid
reminds us that the campaign to end the tobacco epidemic is far
from over.
This year's campaign focuses on the dangers of tobacco to smokers
and non-smokers alike. Second-hand tobacco smoke harms non-smoking
spouses, children and co-workers. Evidence is mounting linking secondhand
smoke exposure to cancer, heart disease, stroke, Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome, lung and middle ear infections and severe asthma. Clearly
the tobacco epidemic is not limited to smokers. Everyone is affected.
The message is simple: We need to clear the air.
- Clearing
the air of second-hand smoke will prevent tobacco from
killing or harming the approximately 1.2 billion non-smokers in
the Region.
- Clearing
the air of misconceptions about the harm caused by tobacco
should urge smokers and those who chew tobacco to quit, and compel
non-smokers to advocate for a tobacco-free environment to protect
their own health.
- Clearing
the airwaves of tobacco advertising will help reduce the
large numbers of children who are enticed to start smoking at
an early age.
- Clearing
the air around the tobacco industry's deception should
enlighten individuals and Governments, and induce them to take
a proactive role in promoting tobacco control to protect the health
of everyone.
- Clearing
the air of indecision will encourage all sectors to become
involved in efforts to curb the tobacco epidemic and to support
the international Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.
In partnership,
we will clear the air.
United, we will clear the way for a tobacco-free Region, and a tobacco-free
world.
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