[Intl-tobacco] World No Tobacco Day 2003 Awards

[Robert Weissman]

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2003 AWARDS
SUMMARY

AFRO

1.=09Dr Sandry Camara
Guinee Conakry
Dynamic leadership in tobacco control in her country at national and
community level.

2.=09TEAN (The Environmental Action Network)
Uganda
Commenced litigation for tobacco control in Uganda.

3.=09Association pour la Defense des Droits de Consummateurs
Tchad
Consumer group advocating for strong tobacco control.

4.=09Observatoire du Tabac en Afrique (OTAF)
Niger
Organization recently formed to address tobacco control issues in
Francophone Africa.  Has developed strong plan of action.

5.=09Ministry of Health
Kenya
Strongly committed to tobacco control in Kenya and support to other
countries in the sub-region.

AMRO

1.=09Dr Eduardo Bianco
Director of Tobacco Control
InterAmerican Heart Foundation
Sindicato M=E9dico del Uruguay
Uruguay
Dr Eduardo Bianco, a physician in Montevideo, Uruguay, has been tireless
in
his efforts to promote tobacco control in his country and across Latin
America.  Working with the InterAmerican Heart Foundation, he played a
central role in mobilizing civil society in Latin America to support the
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).  These efforts helped
strengthen the commitment of Latin American countries to a strong FCTC.
Dr
Bianco is also working with the Sindicato M=E9dico del Uruguay to
strengthen
tobacco control programmes and policies in Uruguay.

2.=09Ms Heather Crowe
Waitress
Ottawa
Canada
Ms Heather Crowe was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in 2002.  Her
doctor told her that she had a smoker's tumour.  She had never smoked in
her life, but had worked for 40 years in smoke-filled restaurants.  In
October 2002 the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board awarded
her
modest compensation for disability caused by secondhand smoke in the
workplace.  Since her tumour was diagnosed, Heather has worked
tirelessly
to educate the public and politicians about the dangers of secondhand
smoke
and the need to ban it in the workplace.  She has appeared in a media
campaign for Health Canada, and has toured the country with Physicians
for
a Smoke Free Canada to meet with mayors and provincial labor ministers
to
convince them to protect workers from secondhand smoke.  She says, "I
want
to be the last person to die of this."  Her story and campaign have
provided a graphic real-life portrayal of the impact of smoking and
secondhand smoke exposure, far removed from the glamour of the movies.

3.=09Dr Graciela Gamarra
Chief, Department of Tobacco Control and Respiratory Diseases
Ministry of Health
Paraguay
Dr Graciela Gamarra has been a committed health advocate in Paraguay for
over a decade, where she advocated internally for the government to
improve
its tobacco control programmes and policies, and where she mobilized
diverse nongovernmental organizations to support their adoption by the
government.  Most recently, she initiated an innovative and successful
programme to create smoke free environments in educational facilities
and
in restaurants.  He efforts are contributing significantly to a
smoke-free
future for the next generations of Paraguayans.

4.=09Dr Stanton Glantz
Professor, University of California at San Francisco, USA
Founder, Smoke Free Movies
U.S.A.
Dr Stan Glantz has worked on many tobacco control issues over three
decades. His most recent campaign is "Smoke Free Movies," which
highlights
the role that Hollywood plays in promoting smoking and cigarettes.  He
promotes awareness of the fact that smoking in the movies has increased,
that far more people smoke in the movies than in real life, and that
kids
whose favourite movie stars smoke are 16 times more likely to become
smokers.  His campaign has run aggressive ads in Hollywood's leading
trade
journals based on the four demands of the campaign:  that movie
producers
certify on-screen that no one involved in the production has been paid
to
portray cigarettes or smoking; that movies stop showing specific tobacco
brand names and imagery; that studies and theatres require tobacco
counter-ads to run before movies containing tobacco use, and that movies
showing tobacco or tobacco use be given an "R" rating.  This campaign
has
won the endorsement of numerous health organizations, including the
World
Health Organization, and has intensified the debate in Hollywood over
smoking in the movies.

5.=09Dr Eva Lewis Fuller
Director of International Health
Ministry of Health
Jamaica
Dr Eva Lewis Fuller has worked in Jamaica to support strong national
tobacco control policies.  She has been a driving force behind new
tobacco
control legislation now being considered by the Cabinet of Jamaica.  In
addition, she has contributed decisively to the building of a strong
coalition advocating for smoke-free environments in Jamaica, within the
scope of PAHO's Smoke Free Americas Initiative.

6.=09Dr Reina Roa
Chief, Department of Health Services and Facilities
Ministry of Health
Panama
Dr Reina Roa has combined her tobacco control activities within the
government and her research activities on tobacco at the University of
Panama.  She has contributed to document the health damage caused by
tobacco in Panama that served as the basis for the litigation against
the
tobacco industry by the Government of Panama.  In addition, she has been
a
key player in revitalizing a national forum for discussion of tobacco
control among governmental and nongovernmental organizations.  Dr Roa
has
also led tobacco monitoring and prevention efforts within her country

EMRO

1.=09Dr Hamdi El Sayed
Head, Egyptian Medical Syndicate and Member of Parliament
Egypt
Dr Hamdi El Sayed has been advocating for tobacco control for over 30
years.  Dr El Sayed, through his persistence, hard work and devotion to
tobacco control has contributed tremendously and pushed for the
enactment
of the latest tobacco control law in Egypt which became effective in
June
2002.  This law dictated a total ad ban, prohibition of sales to minors
below 18 and a written health warning covering one-third of the pack

2.=09Dr Seyed Hassan Arefi
Professor and Scientific Member, Tehran Medical School
Iran
Dr Arefi has 30 years of extensive activities in tobacco control in
Iran.  He is also the writer of the 500-page book on 'suicide and
gradual
homicide on cigars, tobacco and pipe.'

3.=09Ms Magida El Roumi
Singer
Lebanon
Famous Lebanese singer who is at the forefront of the music scene in our
Region.  She has advocated for tobacco control on numerous counts, both
at
press conferences and as a guest on talk shows.  She has continually
stressed the harmful effects of tobacco use on health particularly on
the
voice.  Ms El Roumi has been often referred to as the 'Ambassador of
Arab
Art.'

4.=09Mr George Kordahi
Game Show Host
Lebanon
Lebanese host of the Arabic version of the game show 'Who wants to be a
Millionaire.'  His show has attracted millions of viewers in the Arab
World
and gained him unparalleled fame across the Middle East.  Mr Kordahi has
advocated for tobacco control at every possible opportunity, on his show
and in the press with a special focus on the non-smoker's right to clean
air.  Mr Kordahi has also been entrusted with the position of the United
Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP) Ambassador of Goodwill to the
Middle
East.

5.=09His Excellency Hajar Ahmed Hajar Albenali
Minister of Public Health
Qatar
He has actively and continually contributed to and endorsed tobacco
control
activities.  His most recent achievement in this area is related to his
perseverance in taking forth Law No. 20 of the year 2002 on 'the control
of
tobacco and its derivatives.'

6.=09His Excellency Usama Bin Abdel Maguid Shobokshi
Minister of Health
Saudi Arabia
He has made tremendous and active contributions to tobacco control most
recent of which was his effort in helping declare the two holy cities of
Mecca and Medina smoke-free.  During the pilgrimage season this year
(February 2003) in Mecca, anti-tobacco posters were distributed and
displayed and pamphlets were handed out to over 3 million pilgrims in
six
different languages.

EURO

1.=09Dr Els Borst-Eilers
Netherlands
Dr Els Borst-Eilers, the former Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport of
the Netherlands, made a remarkable contribution to tobacco control at
both
national and international levels.  Her leadership was instrumental for
the
recent strengthening of tobacco control legislation and policy in the
Netherlands, particularly by introducing a complete ban on direct and
indirect advertising and sponsorship, emphasizing the legal right to a
smoke free workplace and promoting the role of intersectoral action and
advocacy.  Dr Borst-Eilers has played an important role in European
tobacco
control action.  She has been one of the strong advocates of the new
European Strategy for Tobacco Control, hosting and personally inspiring
the
discussion on the new action plan for the region in May 2002.  She also
made an important contribution to placing the intergovernmental
coordination on tobacco control high on the political agenda in Europe,
particularly in her role as one of the co chairs and strongest political
advocates at the Ministerial Conference for a Tobacco free Europe in
Warsaw.  Dr Borst-Eilers has been one of the well known political
figures
in Europe in making non smoking a social norm.
Nominated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

2.=09Mr Asankhan Jumakmatov
Kyrgyzstan
Mr Asankhan Jumakmatov, 80, is a distinguished musician and legendary
advocate for healthy lifestyle and non smoking behaviour.  He has never
smoked and has constantly communicated the beauty of a non smoking
lifestyle, serving as a role model for several generations and a strong
proponent for the anti tobacco movement in Kyrgyzstan.  Well known
maestro,
principal conductor and artistic director of the Kyrgys state opera and
the
radio and television symphony orchestra, Mr Jumakmatov has recently been
inspiring and leading a series of classical music concerts with an anti
smoking slogan.  He has also been engaged in several TV and radio
programmes speaking about his non smoking principles and communicating a
strong and healthy lifestyle messages to the public.  The Ministry of
Health enjoys active support from Mr Jumakmatov in its tobacco control
activities and a video-film summarizing his remarkable life long
commitment
is to be released soon to re enforce national anti tobacco advocacy.  On
31
May 2003, Mr Jumakmatov has organized a special concert in the State
opera
house, inviting several stars from the world of music and culture to
join
the celebration of WHO's World No Tobacco Day.
Nominated by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and
Culture, Kyrgyzstan.

3.=09Mr Konstantin Krasovsky
Ukraine
Mr Krasovsky is one of the leading tobacco control activists in Eastern
Europe.  He is the founder and chair of the alcohol and addiction centre
in
Kiev, an NGO that has made a remarkable contribution to disseminating
tobacco control information and knowledge in Ukraine and the other
countries of the former Soviet Union.  The creation of the electronic
information bulletins "No smoking" and "Contact", and facilitating
active
communication between the Russian speaking tobacco control activists,
have
recently been of particular importance.  Mr Krasovsky has long been
engaged
in the international nongovernmental tobacco control movement, and has
greatly contributed to national and global advocacy for a strong, public
health driven Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.  He has a long
record of successful collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank and
other international organizations, supporting them in strengthening
national capacity in the CIS countries where tobacco control is still a
growing challenge.  We are particularly pleased with Mr Krasovsky's work
in
galvanizing a NGO coalition of CIS countries and strengthening its links
to
the larger European tobacco control movement.
Nominated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

4.=09Dr Andrus Lipand
Estonia
Dr Andrus Lipand is one of the most active and long serving members of
the
WHO European network of national counterparts on tobacco control.  His
activities in this important area of public health started in the early
90's by promoting a broad intersectoral commitment against the tobacco
epidemic and the internationalization of the Quit and Win campaign.  Dr
Lipand has been one of the most inspiring proponents of the new European
Strategy for Tobacco Control, actively contributing to its development
as a
member of the drafting group.  He has also made an important
contribution
to global tobacco control advocacy by preparing, at WHO's request, the
review of the Estonian success story on environmental tobacco smoke
policies which will help tobacco control activists around the world in
their future work.

Nominated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.  By this nomination,
EURO
would like to emphasize the crucially important role of national
counterparts who voice and bridge the governments in their work with WHO
and who should be further recognized and inspired for the benefit of
internationally coordinated tobacco control action.

5.=09Mr Josko Marusic
Croatia
Mr Marusic is the founder and Head of the Department for Animated Film
at
the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb.  At present, he is the commissioner
of
animated film at the Ministry of Culture.  He has been playing an
extremely
active and voluntary role in advocating for the theme of the World No
Tobacco Day campaign in collaboration with the "Andrija Stampar" School
of
Public Health.  He drew a memorable picture, which the Croatian campaign
used for posters and billboards.  He also made a video spot with the
clear
message - "Active or passive smoking destroys our lives, so stop smoking
and live better lives".  Another contribution was drawing a logo for the
campaign that was well accepted by the population and was also used on T
shirts and other WNTD promotional material.  During the past month, Mr
Marusic has drawn comic pages in newspapers about the benefits of giving
up
smoking.  The national non smoking day greatly benefited from the
contribution of Mr Marusic.
Nominated by Professor Stipe Oreskovic, Director of "Andrija Stampar"
School of Public Health, the official WHO national counterpart for
tobacco
control in Croatia.

6.=09Comit=E9 Nacional de Prevenci=F3n del Tabaquismo (CNPT)
Spain
Dr Joan Ramon Villalbi and the other members of the CNPT have worked
tirelessly to bring together and mobilize the tobacco control movement
in
Spain through an ever strengthening network of visible and active
tobacco
control advocates.  The CNPT has not only been responsible for promoting
awareness of the dangers of tobacco to the public and the media, but it
has
also succeeded in promoting tobacco control policy into the Spanish
political agenda - a National Plan for Tobacco for Spain was announced
in
January 2003 and the Spanish government now supports a tobacco
advertising
ban.  The CNPT is also active on the EU level and its members lobbied
with
other European colleagues working in tobacco control for the adoption of
the EU Tobacco Advertising Directive last December (2002).  CNPT members
encourage regular discussion in Spanish on Globalink, provide important
information and links on their website and issue regular position papers
on
tobacco control issues.  The committee also holds press conferences and
marks World No Tobacco Day every year.
Nominated by the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP), the
umbrella organization of national tobacco control coalitions in
Europe.  The ENSP board believes that the CNPT should be honoured with
an
NGO award on World No Tobacco Day, not only for its hard work and
success
in the past, but also as an encouragement to continue its important and
inspiring work for many years to come.

SEARO

1.=09Mr Vincent Nazareth
Chairman
Crusade Against Tobacco Control (CAT)
IndiaThe Bombay Municipal Corporation has gone out of its way in
supporting
Mr Vincent Nazareth in his campaign against tobacco by giving him
permission to put banners on the evils of tobacco at all municipal
schools,
hospitals, ward offices, gardens, municipal vans.
Since this year has been dedicated to "Tobacco Free Film and Fashion"
and
since CAT, a branch of the Neil Charitable Trust has many TV stars/film
stars assisting the organization, the Municipal Councillor of Brihan
Mumbai
Mahanagarpalika has nominated Mr Nazareth for this prestigious award.

2.=09Mrs Rima Melati
Indonesia
Active in film, cinetron, and modelling, Mrs Rima Melati is an outspoken
anti smoking advocate at every opportunity, well known and respected
within
the film and fashion community, and popular and influential among the
population.
In Indonesia, previous tobacco control advocates have been
systematically
targeted by the tobacco industry and offered financial incentives to
participate in advertisements.  Given the financial sums and publicity
involved, some of the people previously recognized by the community in
support of tobacco control have been bought off by the industry to
directly
undermine the anti smoking community's efforts. It takes someone with
absolute conviction and strength to refuse tobacco company sponsorship.
Mrs Rima Melati has demonstrated that her convictions to the anti
smoking
movement cannot be swayed by continuous offers of tobacco company
financial
incentives for product sponsorship.  She is, therefore, not only a role
model for the population but for other fashion and film stars who need
the
strength to resist financial incentives from tobacco companies.
Indonesia also very much needs the recognition that some individuals are
taking a firm stance against tobacco - within the environment saturated
with tobacco advertising, sponsorship and use.

3.=09Dr J.B. Kelegama
Sri Lanka
Dr J.B. Kelegama has been in the forefront of the campaign against
smoking
and the fight with tobacco companies for the last 15 years in various
capacities:
"=09The Sri Lanka Cancer Society:  He was Vice-Chairman, Chairman, and
President of the society; he was President from 1994 to 2001.  He
directed
and participated in the society's public education campaign "Smoking
Causes
Cancer" through pamphlets, posters, films and lectures in schools,
community centres and religious institutions and by means of national
essay
and poster competitions and panel discussions.
"=09National Council for Mental Health:  He has been President for the
last
eight years and takes part in its activities to stop the smoking habit.
"=09Talks:  on radio and television.
"=09Newspaper articles:  In English and Sinhalese on the hazards of
smoking
on World No Tobacco Day of each year from 1992 to 2002.
The Government of Sri Lanka nominated him last year for the World No
Tobacco Prize awarded by WHO.

4.=09Her Excellency Sudarat Keyuraphan
Minister of Public Health
Thailand
The number of smokers in Thailand has raised from 10.2 million people in
1999 to 10.6 million people in 2001.  With this situation, Mrs Sudarat
Keyuraphan has concern for the problems and is responsible for the
following activities:
- Leader in pushing the cabinet to sign Legislation No. 10.B.E.2545
about
smoking and non-smoking zone in Thailand;
- Strong leader from Thailand in FCTC to protect the developing
countries
from tobacco companies;
- Contribution and support to the government and nongovernmental
organizations for setting the smoking and nonsmoking zone in Thailand;
- Contribution and support to the film maker society, fashion and other
performances to stop making the smoking image on their productions;
- Push the committee of the Ministry of Public Health to submit the
"warning sign pictogram of the smoking result" on tobacco envelops;
- Contribution and support to the beauty contest for non-smoking such as
Miss Thailand Beauty Contest and Miss Thailand Universe Beauty contest;
- Leader of women, film star and youth for non-smoking in Thailand.
The Minister of Public Health is recognized for her willingness to
strengthen and develop the people in Thai society to have a good health.

WPRO

1.=09State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC)
The People's Republic of China
This key department under the State Council of the People's Republic of
China has been directly responsible for implementing and monitoring the
laws that ban advertising and promotion of tobacco on radio, TV and
other
media.  This ban is in line with the 1995 law on "Advertising Law of the
People's Republic of China" and a later regulation, "The Tobacco
Advertising Interim Regulation".  The regulations have strict guidelines
against media content that depict smoking as a youthful and enticing
image,
or that hint at smoking being able to improve health, release fatigue,
or
reduce mental stress or conflict.  In February 2003, SAIC specified and
outlined criteria for the "Tobacco Advertising Free City" Project and
has
worked with the departments of health, culture, broadcast and movies to
reduce tobacco promotion within the general population.  In addition,
the
SAIC has been a supporter of the development of the Framework Convention
on
Tobacco Control (FCTC).

2.=09Mr Hu Jinghua
Deputy Chairman and General-Secretary
Shanghai Smoking and Health Association;
Director, Shanghai Health Education Institute;
Vice Chairman, National Smoking and Health Association; and
Adviser, Shanghai People's Government
Mr Hu Jinghua is the Deputy Chairman and General-Secretary of the
Shanghai
Smoking and Health Association, Director of the Shanghai Health
Education
Institute, Vice Chairman of the National Smoking and Health Association,
and Adviser of the Shanghai People's Government.  Following his election
in
1987, his leadership made tobacco control a leading area of development
in
Shanghai.  He has personally contacted leading members of the Municipal
Party Committee, the People's Government, the People's Congress and the
Municipal Political Alliance asking them to sign a non-smoking commitment.
He has worked extensively with media and in 2002 organized 250 000
students
in Shanghai to become part of a new smoke-free generation organized in
cooperation with the Shanghai Orient TV, as part of public education
through media.  This also includes cessation programming as well.  In
1996,
1998, and 2000, Mr Hu Jinghua organized the "International Quit and
Win".  In 2000, 50 000 primary school students participated in a
programme
that wrote "Letters to Dear Ones to Stop Smoking".  The achievements in
smoking control in Shanghai are inseparable from the efforts of Mr Hu
Jinghua.
Nominated by the Ministry of Health as endorsed by the Department of
International Cooperation.

3.=09Dr Wang Juntang
Office Chief
Puyang Health Patriotic Committee Campaign Commission
People's Republic of China
Through the efforts of Dr Wang Juntang, the Office Chief of the Puyang
Health Patriotic Committee Campaign Commission, the overall smoking rate
in
Puyang is among the lowest in the country with smoking at 24.29%
compared
with the national average of 37.6%.  He has been a personal advocate to
other leaders and to administrations in efforts to persuade them not to
smoke.  Through his personal efforts, 31 of the 34 government leaders
have
become non-smokers.
Dr Wang successfully coordinated the regulation to ban smoking in urban
public places in Puyang.  In addition, he has worked with media, TV and
other settings and, though opposed strongly by 12 tobacco companies, has
succeeded in removing advertising on a 90-km. section of highway in his are=
a.
In particular Wang has worked to:
- obtain 18 000 participants in the "International Quit and Win"
programme
in 1997 and 1998;
- develop smoke free units in key departments of government including
industry, commerce, banking, finance, supermarkets and public transport;
- organize youth oriented tobacco control programmes with themes such as
"Keep far away from tobacco", "Refuse the first cigarette" and "A new
generation without smoking forever"; and
- obtain the support of seven medical departments and 1532 medical
professionals in 2001.
Nominated by the Ministry of Health as endorsed by the Department of
International Cooperation.

4.=09Mr Lee Jooil
Comedian and Entertainer
Republic of Korea
Mr Lee Jooil was regarded as the most popular comedian and entertainer
in
the Republic of Korea.  Born in Kosung in 1940, he began as an
entertainer
with a musical troupe 'Sae-Byul' in 1965.  He appeared in TV shows from
1979 and won great fame through the 1980's as 'Master of Comedy'.  From
1992 to 1996 he served as a member of the Korean National Assembly.  In
2001 he was diagnosed with cancer and spent a large part of the
remainder
of his life until his death in August 2002, in encouraging people to
stop
smoking.  He was appointed one of the representatives of the Committee
for
Nationwide Anti-smoking campaign in February 2002.  Through the TV ads
shown on TV in Korea in 2002 and other measures, the adult male smoking
rate in South Korea decreased by more than 10.0% in early 2002 to 57.0%,
down from 67.8% in 2001.
The award will most likely be received by the widow.

5.=09Dr Khampay Rasmy
Member, National Assembly responsible for Ethnic Affairs
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Since his appointment in 1990 as Secretary for the Members of the
Political
Bureau and as Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Rhasmy has been very active in
tobacco control in Lao PDR.  In 1991 Dr Rhasmy was appointed
Deputy-Minister for Health and worked closely with Ministry of Culture
and
Information and other areas to restrict advertising and implement
smokefree
public places.  From 1996 to 2002, Dr Rhasmy was appointed to be the
Deputy
- Minister for Labour and Social Welfare and has continued a strong
interest in tobacco control.  In February 2002 he was elected to be a
member of the National Assembly responsible for Ethnic Affairs and has
strongly supported the increase taxation of cigarettes, a measure
finally
approved in the parliament.  Dr Rhasmy requested the establishment of
the
Inter-Ministerial Taskforce for Tobacco Control in support of the FCTC.

6.=09Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
New Zealand
Since 1981, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has been the leading
nongovernment agency working to control tobacco, reduce consumption and
advocate for strong tobacco control in New Zealand.  For 21 years, ASH
has
given a strong lead to legislation that has implemented smokefree
policy,
raised taxes on tobacco, introduced bans on tobacco advertising, lobbied
for stronger health warnings and obtained a review under the Toxic
Substances Regulations in
New Zealand.
Several members of ASH have contributed outstanding efforts to lobbying
for
change including, Robert Beaglehole, Deidre Kent and Janie Weir.  ASH
also
supported the first litigation on tobacco in New Zealand and has lobbied
for legislation to ensure "fire-safe" cigarettes.