HONG KONG, May 29 (Xinhua) — Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government York Chow was given a major award on Sunday by the World Health Organization (WHO) for his achievements in tobacco control in Hong Kong.
Chow received the trophy, WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Award, from WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Shin Young-soo at the “World No Tobacco Day 2011 — Regional Launching and Award Ceremony.”
Chow expressed his gratitude to the WHO for its recognition of Hong Kong’s efforts in tobacco control, adding that it was an honor for him to receive the award.
“The award has been earned by various sectors working dedicatedly in carrying out tobacco control policies and measures over the years. These include the medical sector, the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Legislative Council members, the academic sector, non-governmental organizations, members of the public and certain government departments,” he said.
Chow said the Hong Kong government would continue to strengthen resources aimed at tobacco control and the reduction of smoking to further protect public health.
The WHO declared May 31 as World No Tobacco Day with the aim of raising awareness among people around the world of the harmful effects of tobacco use and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Every year, the WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of the Director-General’s Special Recognition Award and the World No Tobacco Day Award.
This year, the other Director-General’s Special Recognition Award went to Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day. The Framework is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO, and provides new legal dimensions for international co-operation in tobacco control.
Since 1989, World No Tobacco Day has been observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. In 1988, World No Tobacco Day was observed on April 7.
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