Stop the World Organization of Tobacco

World Health Organization (WHO) selects "Tobacco industry intervention" as a major theme on the No Tobacco Day which falls every year on May 31, 2012 with the headline "Stop Tobacco Industry Interference".

As reported by the WHO in its official website on Thursday (5/31/2012), which conducted the campaign this year will focus on efforts against tobacco industry interference that do not matter and the more aggressive the agreement, called the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ( WHO FCTC).WHO FCTC protocol goal is to control trade in cigarettes in order not to interfere with public health. Protocols that protect health policy from tobacco industry influence, setting prices and cigarette excise tax to reduce demand, protect citizens from secondhand smoke contamination in indoor areas and public transport, packaging and labeling of cigarettes, as well as the implementation of bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of cigarettes.

WHO-FCTC has been signed by 172 countries and cover 90 percent of the world. But until recently, Indonesia and Zimbabwe is a country that has not ratified the FCTC. Therefore, Indonesia has not followed the international standards in tobacco control.

There are at least four indicators as well as tobacco control strategy, which is the first stop advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco industry. Second, the ban on smoking in public areas. Third, health warnings on cigarette packs, and the fourth, an increase in cigarette prices that are not easily purchased.Tobacco addiction and disease have caused considerable loss of life. Currently, each year an estimated 6 million people worldwide died from tobacco and more than 600,000 of whom were nonsmokers. If not controlled, cigarettes will kill 8 million people in 2030, where about 80 percent are smokers who live in poor countries.

As more and more countries are trying to comply with the obligations contained in the FCTC agreement, the tobacco industry was exerting all his strength to stop him. For example, as a way to stop the policy of pictorial warnings on cigarette packs, they sued the state by reason of violation of a bilateral investment treaty. The tobacco industry claims pictorial warnings on cigarette packs will reduce the appearance of their brands is legal.

On the other hand, the tobacco industry also continues to fight on other fields, especially with regard to a policy banning smoking in public spaces as well as regulation of advertising restrictions.No Tobacco Day 2012 focused on educating the decision makers and the general public about tobacco industry tactics in fighting the tobacco industry restrictions on movement. WHO will also continue to remind countries to fight the tobacco industry interference in tobacco control efforts.