Luanda - The world is marking this Sunday (May 31) the World No Tobacco Day, which was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the purpose of sensitising the largest possible number of people on the risks of consuming tobacco and its by-products.

The member states of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. The day aims to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related health problems.

In the light of the date, this year the Angolan Health Ministry (MINSA) appeals to the civil society and NGOs to promote points of view of experts about the importance of health warnings on packs as a means of health protection.

MINSA also calls for promoting the approval of laws protecting non-smokers sites, as well as supervising the attitude of the tobacco industry, concerning deceiving publicity and the use of warnings about the harmful effects to health.

Obtaining from the civil society the commitment that youths should be protected from advertisements and promotion of tobacco, including the curbing of sponsoring activities by the tobacco industry in the country is also part of the Health Ministry's intentions.

For the successful implementation of this goal, the institution in charge of health in Angola counts on the collaboration of main interveners such as teachers, heads of anti-tobacco NGOs, sports associations, schools, universities and opinion makers.

On the other hand, the WHO invites people to reflect on the publishing of warnings in packages on the damages that tobacco causes to health.