WHO finds anti-smoking efforts fall far short

By Bill Berkrot

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global efforts to avoid tens of millions of preventable deaths by reducing tobacco use have been slow to take hold, and no country has fully adopted the World Health Organization's recommendations, WHO said on Thursday.

Unless urgent action is taken, the health agency of the United Nations estimates tobacco could kill one billion people this century.

"As a global community we cannot allow this to happen," Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, said at a news conference to launch the organization's first comprehensive analysis of global tobacco use and control efforts.

Chan said the tobacco industry describes WHO as its No. 1 enemy.

"Today we intend to enhance that reputation," she said in unveiling the "WHO Report of the Global Tobacco Epidemic" that for the first time analyzed tobacco policies of 179 countries.

The analysis found that only 5 percent of the world's population live in countries that protect their people through any of the smoking reduction measures WHO has outlined.

It also found that 40 percent of countries still allow smoking in hospitals and schools.

"While efforts to combat tobacco are gaining momentum, virtually every country needs to do more," Chan said.