With two weeks to go until Beijing’s smoke-free law comes into effect, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, today joined WHO’s #RUFREE campaign on social media in support of the new law.
“Ensuring full implementation of the Beijing smoke-free law may be the single most important thing that Beijing can do this year to promote the health of its citizens. In this, the Beijing Government has WHO’s strongest support – as Dr Chan’s backing of this campaign shows,” said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China.
The campaign posters featuring Dr Chan will be used by the Beijing Government to promote awareness about the new smoke-free law.
WHO’s campaign was launched on 22 April, and includes posters featuring several high profile Chinese celebrities voicing their support for stronger tobacco control policies. The campaign is called #RUFREE? – meaning 'Are you smoke-free? And do you support smoke-free environments?'.
From 1 June, all indoor public places in Beijing, and many outdoor public places including kindergartens, primary and middle schools, historical and cultural sites, playing areas and auditoriums in stadiums and fitness centers, and maternal and child health facilities, will be required by law to be 100% smoke-free.
About the World Health Organization
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
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Ms WU Linlin
WHO China Office
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