Let’s Close the TAPS – Tobacco Advertising, Promotion & Sponsorships

Every year, on 31st May, the WHO and partners, like CANSA, mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS)”

This is the WHO’s message to governments on World No Tobacco Day 2013: A comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is required under the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. Yet, only 19 countries, representing 6% of the world’s population, have comprehensive national bans.

Read the Framework Convention Alliance’s Fact Sheet “ Why ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS)?”

The WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, adopted in May 2003, aims to curb tobacco-related deaths and disease. South Africa is a signatory to the treaty and has taken measures through Tobacco Control Regulations to address the tobacco epidemic. South Africa is a leader in tobacco control in Africa and in 1999 banned all tobacco advertising and smoking in public places. As a result, cigarette consumption in SA has fallen for 8 consecutive years, while the percentage of adult smokers in the country has dropped from 32% to 28%. Unfortunately, the tobacco industry is now targeting women and the youth, especially. Read about CANSA’s efforts with regards to Tobacco Control in SA here.. 

Queries CANSA:

For more information please phone our Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 22 66 22 or email us at info@cansa.org.za – see more info re No-Tobacco Campaign…