The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International is urging the observance of World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on May 31 by making resources available that raise awareness of the impact and dangers of tobacco use and what individuals can do to play an active role in commemorating the day.

"Although ADRA’s worldwide anti-tobacco programs are making great progress, much more remains to be done," stated Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. "I encourage individuals and leaders of church, school, and civic groups to use these resources. We need your partnership."

ADRA’s World No Tobacco Day materials are available online at http://www.adra.org/WNTD.html

Worldwide, ADRA’s health programs seek to improve the health, increase the economic status, and create a better quality of life for individuals by promoting a tobacco-free life.

In Cambodia, ADRA’s tobacco cessation project, "Khmer Quit Now," works primarily through Buddhist Monks and community action. The program has been extended to many provincial areas for the establishment of smoke-free Wats (temples) and communities. To date, five large Wats and one high school in Pursat and Kampot provinces have smoke free policies as a result of this project. More than 5,400 Monks and community members are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and the benefits of remaining smoke-free and 1,780 monks and community leaders assisted to quit smoking are acting as community role models. Also, more than 30 high level monks and Buddhist leaders are supporting public policy development and initiatives on tobacco education and control.

In September 2003, ADRA’s office in the country of Georgia conducted its first Breathe Free seminar to raise awareness among local decision makers on the dangers of tobacco and its use. A member of the Ministry of Health was one of the attendees who successfully stopped smoking.

"The slogan chosen by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the World No Tobacco Day campaign 2004, ‘Tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle,’ especially highlights the struggle occurring in the lives of poor individuals and countries where ADRA works," reminded Sandefur. "Promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle is imperative as deaths from tobacco are too many, we’re losing young lives, and tobacco is increasing the poverty of families and countries," Sandefur continued.

The WHO annually sponsors WNTD on May 31 to raise awareness of the impact of tobacco use and promote a tobacco-free lifestyle. It is also a day when, worldwide, smokers unite to stop smoking. The WHO estimates that about one-third of the global adult population, or 1.1 billion people, smokes. Of these, 3.5 million die each year—nearly 10,000 each day— from tobacco-related illnesses. One million of these deaths occur in developing countries.