Tobacco-free Europe
 
About the tobacco-free initiative in the WHO European Region
 
News
 
     
 Launch of WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2009 
 09 November 2009 
 In December 2009, the second edition of the MPOWER landmark report will be launched. This presents a comprehensive global analysis of tobacco use and control efforts. 
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 Tobacco and World Heart Day 
 28 September 2009 
 Tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.5 million lives a year. Read more about cardiovascular disease and tobacco in connection with World Heart Day on 27 September. 
 More | See also 
  
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Events
 
     
 Using data to strengthen tobacco control at country level 
 Outcomes and next steps from the GTSS workshop on using data for policy making. The workshop was held in Copenhagen 9-11 September. 
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 Outcome and next steps of Workshop on Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS). 
 Read about the outcome of the GHPSS workshop regarding use of data on smoking prevalence and related attitudes among health professions students. 
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Ashtray with smoking cigarette and no smoking sign 
Tobacco is the leading risk factor for premature mortality in the European Region, causing about 1,6 million deaths. WHO is committed to reducing the global burden of disease and death caused by tobacco, thereby protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Tough legislation outweighs perceived political costs

Governments have recognized the importance of tobacco control and many are now seriously addressing tobacco control in all its facets: taxation, pricing, advertising, packaging, warnings, smoking in public places and supporting people in cessation.

These initiatives are strongly supported by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which 45 countries have ratified so far in the European region, and the WHO MPOWER strategy. The MPOWER package contains a set of six key tobacco control measures that complement and build on the WHO FCTC. Governments are finding that the gains and initatives hugely outweigh the perceived political costs for taking action, and legitimacy is accumulating as one country after another introduces tough legislation to combat smoking.

Policy leadership at many levels

WHO provides global and regional policy leadership and encourages the mobilization of all levels and sectors of government and the international community to work towards stronger tobacco control policies. The WHO Regional Office for Europe promotes the WHO FCTC and the WHO MPOWER strategy, and supports its Member States in their efforts to implement tobacco control measures based on its provisions. It does this through developing tools and evidence-based guidance to support and monitor implementation; offering advice and training and promoting exchange and learning across the Region.