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Zimbabwe: WHO launches smoke-free environment campaign
The Herald
February 08, 2008

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802080085.html

The World Health Organisation has launched a campaign to promote a smoke-free environment for children as part of commemorations to mark Cancer Day that falls on February 4 annually.

In a statement issued in Harare on the commemoration of the World Cancer Day, WHO regional director for Africa Dr Luis Gomes Sambo called on member states to be actively involved in achieving this cause.

He said during the campaign dubbed "I love my smoke-free childhood", all member states are expected to screen, diagnose and treat cancer.

Dr Sambo also urged them to strengthen the capacity of health personnel to reduce the use of tobacco in homes.

"The commemoration of the World Cancer Day affords me the opportunity to call on all member states to raise the awareness of the populations through various methods adapted to local realities in order to foster a change of lifestyles and behaviours with regard to risk factors of cancer and particularly tobacco smoke," Dr Sambo said.

He said member states should also generate regional unity whereby cancer and tobacco control organisations, public authorities and health institutions collaborate for a smoke-free environment.

"The region is facing an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, in particular cancer.

"Routine and co-ordinated actions are needed to spare the region a real cancer epidemic," he said.

Dr Sambo said a regional committee would soon submit a strategy document for approval by member states, which will assist in the formulation of national cancer control programmes.

By 2020, he predicted, there is likely to be close to one million new cases of cancer if no urgent action is taken.

He said by the same date, globally, the number of deaths due to smoking would reach 10 million per year, 70 percent of them in developing countries. According to WHO, in 2002 the number of new cases of cancer per year was estimated at 582 000 and deaths at 412 000.

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