Rallies mark World No Tobacco Day. In raising awareness of the ill effects of tobacco use and the benefits of a smoke-free society, people from around the world participated in rallies on World No Tobacco Day, an annual initiative of the World Health Organization. In Thailand, where a smoking ban in indoor public spaces was introduced in 2002 and renewed in 2008, the Ministry of Public Health launched the 7th consecutive year of a walking rally against smoking. Parades and other public events to curb tobacco use were also held in India, where government officials joined students, doctors, academics and other advocates to call for initiatives that will reduce the 120 million smokers and the 1 million who die annually from tobacco-related illnesses. Sri Lanka’s National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol also reported that up to 60 people die daily in the country from smoking, while researchers in the UK have pointed out that second-hand smoke is the cause of fatality for 81% of newborns who perish from the condition known as Sudden Infant Death syndrome. Meanwhile, the United Nations urged governments to increase their efforts to put an end to the use of tobacco, which kills nearly 6 million people across the globe per year. Our appreciation all leaders, government agencies and participants of World No Tobacco Day for your efforts to protect current and future generations from this harmful substance. May the day come soon when every corner of our world is blessed with clean . . .

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