Awards presented by the WHO for tobacco control efforts on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World No Tobacco Day every May 31 to raise awareness of the harmful effects of active and passive smoking and to discourage the use of tobacco products in all their forms. In 2026, the theme is "Unmasking the Appeal: Combating Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence," aiming to expose how the tobacco and nicotine industries deliberately design products to increase their appeal and addictive potential, notably through the use of sugars, flavors, and cooling agents to mask harshness and facilitate inhalation and initiation of use, especially among young people.

Each year, the WHO also presents the "World No Tobacco Day Award" to individuals or member organizations from each of its six regions who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional achievements and contributions to tobacco control and public health.[1].

European Region: CNCT among the winners

The award winners include institutional and non-profit organizations from France, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Moldova, and Romania. In France, the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT) was notably recognized for its long-term and tireless efforts to reduce smoking. Its involvement in France and its international cooperation practices were commended, as were its innovative actions that directly contribute to challenging the tobacco industry's responsibility. The association is now fully committed to preparing a tobacco-free generation in France. The association supports the measure French generational sales ban, which must be accompanied by strong measures such as product regulation and, more broadly, supply regulation (strict regulation of retail distribution, elimination of flavorings, widespread neutral packaging, filter removal, measures to effectively combat parallel marketsAdded to this is the challenge of expanding smoke-free and vaping-free areas and the application of all protective prohibitions, including public policies regarding interference from the tobacco industry.

Americas Region

The prizes were awarded to public institutions and experts from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay, as well as to health promotion organizations.

In Brazil, the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming has been recognized for its intersectoral policy aimed at supporting sustainable economic alternatives in tobacco-growing areas, in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).[2]. Also in Brazil, Mônica Andreis was recognized for her leading role in advocating for key measures such as taxation, health warnings, and restrictions on tobacco and nicotine products. In Colombia, Daniel Dorado was honored for his work on the influence of the tobacco industry and strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms in public policy. In Mexico, researcher Inti Barrientos was recognized for his studies on new nicotine products and their impact on young people, contributing to the development of public health regulations. Finally, in Uruguay, Health Minister Cristina Lustemberg was recognized for her work in strengthening tobacco control policies, including the adoption of plain packaging, the banning of certain products, and her leading role in international cooperation.

Western Pacific and Southeast Asia regions

Health authorities and research institutions in India, Myanmar, and Thailand were recognized for their work in tobacco prevention, research, and policy management. The awards also included political leaders and health institutions in Cambodia, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as municipal and national authorities involved in implementing tobacco control policies and preventing tobacco-related diseases.

As an example, the WHO awarded its "World No Tobacco Day" prize to Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in recognition of progress made in the fight against tobacco use.[3]. Hong Kong has already received numerous accolades for its public health policies. Authorities are promoting a comprehensive strategy combining legislation, taxation, prevention, education, smoking cessation services, and the fight against illicit cigarettes. According to local data, the prevalence of smoking among people aged 15 and over has fallen from 23 per 100,000 in the 1980s to 8.5 per 100,000 in 2025, with a decrease of approximately 16 per 100,000 in the number of daily smokers since 2019. The government plans to further strengthen its policy with the stated objective of progressing towards tobacco elimination from society.

Eastern Mediterranean region

Several awards were given to initiatives from Iran, Pakistan, Libya, and Tunisia. These awards recognized public officials, researchers, and organizations involved in tobacco prevention and cessation support, particularly within the framework of national alliances and public health programs.

African region

Several individuals and institutions were recognized for their work in tobacco control. These included public health officials from Burkina Faso and Liberia, as well as South African researchers and experts. The Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board was also honored for its role in regulating tobacco-related content.

As an example, the WHO recognized the Minister of Health of Liberia, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, for her commitment to the fight against tobacco use and the improvement of public health.[4]. This distinction recognizes Liberia's efforts to strengthen its prevention policies, promote healthier lifestyles, and reduce tobacco-related illnesses. It also reflects international recognition of the ongoing reforms in the country's health sector, within a context of strengthened awareness campaigns and prevention programs, despite persistent resource and public health constraints.

In Nigeria, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), along with two Nigerian public health experts working in South Africa, Professors Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf and Catherine Egbe, received the World No Tobacco Day 2026 Awards, highlighting the growing role of African initiatives in the face of the tobacco industry's influence and the risks associated with nicotine addiction.[5]. For example, the NFVCB banned the promotion and trivialization of tobacco and nicotine products in Nigerian films, music videos, and entertainment content in 2024. This measure, supported by national legislation, makes Nigeria the first African country and the second in the world, after India, to regulate the portrayal of tobacco in cultural productions. These advances illustrate the importance of evidence-based public policies that reduce the appeal of tobacco, particularly among young people.

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[1]World No Tobacco Day 2026 awards – meet the winners, World Health Organization, published May 19, 2026, accessed May 20, 2026

[2]Public health leaders and institutions from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay recognized by WHO for advances in tobacco control, Pan American Health Organization, published May 19, 2026, accessed May 20, 2026

[3]Gary Chiu, Hong Kong receives WHO award for tobacco control success, China Daily, published on May 20, 2026, accessed the same day

[4]WHO Honors Liberia's Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto for Leadership in Tobacco Control, Front Page Africa, published on May 20, 2026, accessed the same day

[5]Paul Dada, WHO Awards: CAPPA hails Films Censors Board, Nigerian Profs, PM News, published May 19, 2026, accessed May 20, 2026

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