WHA40.38 7 April 1988: a world no-smoking day
The Fortieth World Health Assembly,
Bearing in mind the objective of the World Health Organization contained in Article 1 of the Constitution, "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health";
Recalling resolution WHA39.14 on "Tobacco or health";
Expressing its satisfaction at the measures increasingly being taken by Member States to reduce smoking;
Gratified at the decision taken by the Director-General to declare the WHO premises a smoking-free area;
Aware that the consumption and use of tobacco result in serious health consequences. as well as economic and social problems, notably in developing countries;
Noting that on 7 April 1988 the World Health Organization will celebrate its fortieth anniversary;
1. CALLS UPON all Member States, as part of their continuing efforts to reduce the smoking pandemic, through all appropriate means including, where applicable, legislative and regulatory measures:
(1) to celebrate 7 April 1988 as a world no-smoking day;
(2) to encourage the population, by all appropriate means, to desist from smoking and from using tobacco in all other forms on that day;
(3) in conjunction with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to use the occasion to launch, or strengthen existing, anti-smoking campaigns and health-promoting initiatives;
(4) to encourage vendors to refrain voluntarily from selling all forms of tobacco on that day;
(5) to inform the Director-General on actions taken in response to this resolution;
2. APPEALS to all manufacturers of tobacco and those who promote its consumption, in the spirit of this resolution and of resolution WHA39.14, to refrain voluntarily from all publicity activities in all countries, especially in developing countries, and calls upon the press and the other media in each country voluntarily to do likewise;
3. REQUESTS the Director-General to report to a subsequent Health Assembly on the action taken in this regard.
Hbk Res., Vol. III (1st ed.), 1.11.4
(Twelfth plenary meeting, 15 May 1987 - Committee A, fifth report)