Thanks to the global awareness that has been conducted on smoking in recent years, an objective has been set in order to focus on global attention and implement enforcement actions against the tobacco epidemic. As a result, new multi-sector associations have been created and they reflect the nature of this initiative. You may see some of the organizations that contribute to the global fight against tobacco through the following links:

In general, the outline of these organizations are to apply a tobacco consumption monitoring system and create prevention policies, protect the population from passive smoking, offer help to quit smoking, warn of tobacco dangers, meet tobacco advertising prohibition, promotion – sponsorship, and raise taxes on tobacco.

Therefore, every society requires solutions to improve their lifestyle. A clear example is the four risk factors of the NCDs: physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and harmful use of alcohol, and tobacco consumption, which are compromising significantly the health of the population. There are certain programs from organizations that pretend to develop strategies aimed at dealing and solving these problems.

As an example, the United Nations Summit on NCDs, held from 19 to 21 September this year, addressed the issue of NCDs, representing a turning point for the world, improving awareness and commitment to deal with the epidemic and promote health for all.

The “success stories” of PAHO’s report are examples of policies and programs in which countries agreed on a Political Declaration that urged the implementation of prevention programs and control of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. At the same time, the Wellness Week was held, consisting a series of events and activities that promoted healthy living in a healthy environment.

These types of campaigns are important interventions that ultimately aim to benefit society. They focus on existing problems and try to create an agent of change through a series of social awareness programs that include healthy lifestyles, tobacco control measures, diet improvement, healthy schools promotion, and access to preventive treatments improvement.

Although there has been progress in the fight against tobacco, as well as in the implementation of healthy habits in society, smoking remains a serious social problem. However, these activities are a successful result from effective promotions made by organizations that lead the fight against tobacco and serve as agents of change, and at a certain level, they are also trying to convince their audiences (world Leaders and general public) to take consciousness to accept or modify certain ideas, attitudes and behaviors that can be harmful to society.

“Reversing this entirely preventable epidemic needs to be considered as a top priority for public health and political leaders of all countries. …its cure does not depend on vaccines or medicines, but of the concerted actions of Governments and civil society “*

Dr. Margaret Chan. Director General, World Health Organization