Tobacco free initiative
World No Tobacco Day 2008 Awards
Manila, Philippines, 31 May 2008
Background
The World No Tobacco Day Award is from the World Health Organization (WHO). They are presented annually to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated a long-term commitment and contribution in research, capacity building, promotion of policy or legislation, and advocacy, among other activities to advance tobacco control.
There are two types of awards granted every year:
- Special Director-General's Award (maximum of two globally)
- Certificate of Appreciation (up to six per region)
For additional information please visit: WNTD2008
WNTD 2008 Awardees
Mr Yuhta Ohishi
WNTD 2008 awardee and recipient of the Director-General’s Special Recognition certificate
Yuhta Ohishi developed bronchial asthma due to second-hand smoke. In 2002, when he was just a fourth-grade elementary student, he started studying on the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and made a paper on his research. He gave a copy of his report to the government of Shizuoka City and petitioned for a by-law banning people from smoking on the streets in Shizuoka City.
He continued studying not only the harmful effects of passive smoking but also some anti-smoking measures being practiced in several cities in Japan. In 2005, he launched a signature campaign in support of the by-law and was given the opportunity to make a speech petitioning for the approval of the “Roadway Non-Smoking By-Law” at a committee of the City Assembly. The year after, the City Assembly passed the “Roadway Non-Smoking By-Law”.
Additional information:
Speech of Mr Yuhta Ohishi during the World No Tobacco Day launch in Manila
Overview of Yuhta's work in Japan
Cambodia Movement for Health (CMH), Cambodia
Certificate of Appreciation
Since its establishment in 2006, CMH has focused its efforts on advocacy for FCTC implementation and passage of the Law on Tobacco Control. Through various strategies, CMH has successfully mobilized key sectors to actively engage in tobacco control including the media, health professionals and particularly youth.
Mr Ding Xiangyang,
Deputy Mayor, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Certificate of Appreciation
Mr Ding Xiangyang has made his great effort on leading tobacco control in Beijing, especially in developing regulation on banning smoking at public places and workplaces. Also under his leadership, Beijing launched the smoking free restaurants campaign and smoking free taxi campaign in 2007, which have achieved very good results.
Smoke-Free Luang Prabang,
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Certificate of Appreciation
The Luang Prabang Local Authority together with the Ministry of Health and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA – a local NGO supported by SEATCA) initiated an action to formulate a policy and regulation to ban smoking in the Luang Prabang Municipal Area. Smoke-Free Luang Prabang is an excellent model on the implementation of Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) that requires protection from second hand smoke in workplaces and public transport.
Hanoi School of Public Health, Viet Nam
Certificate of Appreciation
The Hanoi School of Public Health is the first and currently the only university in Viet Nam focused on public health. At the onset, tobacco-control has been one the priority research areas of the university. A number of research studies conducted by the university have been used by government and non-government organizations in Viet Nam for policy development and advocacy. The Hanoi School of Public Health was established as the first smoke-free university in the country and is now the model for smoke-free schools in Viet Nam.