Smoke-free 2018 World Nomad Games in pictures

24 September 2018
The 3rd World Nomad Games took place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on 2­–8 September 2018. For the first time in the history of the Games, the event was declared smoke-free.

This initiative highlighted the incompatibility of sports games with tobacco consumption. It was the result of close collaboration between the Kyrgyz Government, the Secretariat of Nomad Games, the Ministry of Health and the WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan. Nearly half of the male population in the country smokes, and smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke.

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In Kyrgyzstan, nearly half of the male population smokes. Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke in the country.

WHO/Almaz Zhumaliev
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The 3rd World Nomad Games brought together over 3000 athletes from more than 70 countries to compete in 37 types of traditional nomadic sports disciplines. 

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Smoke-free banners displayed on the way to the city of Cholpon-Ata next to the bigger banner devoted to the Games.

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Advocacy materials on tobacco control, produced and printed with technical assistance from WHO, were distributed among visitors.

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Volunteers at local village health committees explain how they disseminate the smoke-free materials. During preparations, the Secretariat of the Nomad Games, local authorities, police forces, public health specialists and village health committees staffed with volunteers were trained on smoke-free policies, country regulation and enforcement practices.

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A smoke-free banner being installed in front of the main stadium during rehearsals the day before the official start of the Games.

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Smoke-free signs are placed in the stadium in the most visible places.  

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Smoke-free signs are displayed in 3 languages (Kyrgyz, Russian and English).

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Designated outdoor areas for smoking are placed far from the sports complex. 

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Smoke-free signs are also installed in most yurts, the traditional nomad dwelling, used by participants and the press.

WHO/Almaz Zhumaliev
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In addition, Kyrgyz-language WHO food safety posters are displayed near shops with the aim to inform people about the prevention of food poisoning.

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