Health Promotion

We work to enhance people’s wellbeing and reduce their health risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health. We develop and implement cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures and capacity development tools. We advance global health in health literacy, community engagement strategies and good governance for health, and foster public health action in the settings of every-day life.

About us

Advocating for tobacco control

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death. The importance of tobacco control is well-recognized and backed by an evidence-based treaty (WHO FCTC). Significant reduction in tobacco use will ensure declines in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and a healthier global population.

The tobacco industry uses all kind of tactics to subvert tobacco control measures. For example, the tobacco industry targets children and young people with their advertising and promotion tactics. Advocacy and communication on the health and economic effects of tobacco is crucial to engage and empower the public, especially youth, and to inform and educate policy makers and other stakeholders on solutions to the global tobacco epidemic.

World No Tobacco Day, celebrated every year on 31 May, draws global attention to the tobacco epidemic. It informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

WHO also produces advocacy and information materials and communications products to help raise awareness of the harms of tobacco use to health, the environment and the economy.

Campaign