May 29 Morning at Yeouido FKI Hall
20th Anniversary of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Enforcement and Korea's Ratification
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Promotion Institute announced on May 28 that they will hold the "38th World No Tobacco Day Commemoration Ceremony" at 10:30 a.m. on May 29 at the Federation of Korean Industries Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.
Approximately 250 people, including Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyuhong, National Health Insurance Service President Chung Ki-seok, National Cancer Center President Yang Han-kwang, Korea Health Promotion Institute President Kim Heonju, as well as officials from related agencies, the Korean Society for Smoking Cessation, the Anti-Smoking Movement Council, and other related organizations, will attend the ceremony to reaffirm their strong commitment to advancing anti-smoking policies.
This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is "Unmask the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco & Nicotine Products." Recently, the tobacco industry has been concealing the harms of tobacco use and increasing curiosity and appeal among children and adolescents by offering various flavors and scents, flashy designs, and both online and offline marketing strategies. The World Health Organization (WHO) selected this year’s theme to raise awareness of such tobacco marketing practices and to protect children and adolescents from tobacco products.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the enforcement and domestic ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the event will feature a commemorative video, a celebratory performance, and a special ceremony.
The FCTC, adopted and introduced by the WHO in 2003 to reduce health damage caused by smoking and secondhand smoke, is the world’s first international health treaty. Currently, 183 countries have joined, covering more than 90% of the global population. Korea signed the treaty in 2003 and ratified it on May 16, 2005, becoming a formal party to the agreement.
The commemorative video, which will be shown as the first part of the ceremony, highlights the issue of tobacco companies’ flashy product marketing strategies aimed at enticing children and adolescents to smoke, and calls for increased public attention and collective action.
Following this, the Minister of Health and Welfare will present awards to 65 individuals?including anti-smoking project managers, public health center staff, teachers, and military personnel?and 24 organizations for their contributions to promoting a culture of smoking cessation and prevention. Among them, Air Force Major Kim Youngjin, as the commander of an Air Medical Squadron at a fighter wing, actively encouraged soldiers to quit smoking and promoted various activities to enhance the health of non-smoking personnel, significantly contributing to reducing the smoking rate within the unit. The Nowon District Public Health Center in Seoul was recognized for its achievements in reducing the local smoking rate and creating a smoke-free environment through active initiatives such as expanding designated non-smoking areas, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, operating a smoking cessation monitoring team, and uniquely providing a smoking cessation success incentive in Seoul.
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyuhong stated, "It is time for all of us to work even harder to protect children and adolescents?the future of our society?from the temptations of tobacco so that they can enjoy a healthy, smoke-free life." He added, "The government will support amendments to relevant laws to regulate all types of tobacco, including new tobacco products, and will thoroughly prepare for the implementation of the 'Tobacco Harm Management Act' in November to inform the public about the harmful components of tobacco, thereby pursuing even stronger anti-smoking policies."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
