The World Health Organisation (WHO) has awarded Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with ‘WHO Director-General Special Award’ for his accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.
- Harsh Vardhan was awarded for recognizing his efforts in the 2019 national legislation to ban E-cigarettes & heated tobacco products.
Highlights:
i.The Tobacco Control Research Group of the University of Bath was also recognised with the same honour for its efforts to expose tobacco industry’s attempts and tactics to weaken, block or delay tobacco control.
ii.Apart from the Director-General Special awards, the WHO also annually recognises efforts of various individuals and groups by honouring them with World No Tobacco Day awards. These awards are given across six regions.
In South East region category, the awardees include
- Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association(MPVHA) and
- Uttar Pradesh Tobacco Control Cell
along with one organisation each from Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
iv.MPVHA is the first civil society organisation in India that has received this prestigious award.
v.MPVHA and Uttar Pradesh Tobacco Control Cell are awarded for their efforts in prevention and control of tobacco.
About World No Tobacco Day 2021 awards:
Every year, On account of the World No Tobacco Day, WHO recognises individuals or organisations across the globe for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.This recognition takes the form of
- WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and
- World No Tobacco Day Awards.
Note:
i.World No Tobacco Day 2021 was celebrated on 31st May 2021.
ii.The 2021 theme and campaign of World No Tobacco Day is “Commit to Quit”.
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