Azernews.Az

BAKU – The use of tobacco, which is highly addictive, killed approximately 100 million people in the twentieth century, and unless we act, it could kill up to a billion in this century, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his message to world countries on the occasion of 31 May - World No Tobacco Day, the UN Representation in Azerbaijan reported on Tuesday.

"By controlling tobacco, we can go a long way towards addressing many of these chronic ailments, including cancer and heart disease," the message says.

"The greatest tool in our arsenal is the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Since it was opened for signature in 2003, more than 170 countries have become parties, making it one of the most rapidly embraced treaties in United Nations history," the message says.

"The Framework Convention is clearly working to safeguard health in all countries that have adopted and enforced it. Yet, as the reports from States parties show, we have a long way to go. I urge all parties to fully meet their obligations under the Treaty, and I call on the few countries that have not yet become parties to do so. Together, we can halt the tobacco epidemic and the many problems it brings. On this World No Tobacco Day, let us push for progress that will cut tobacco-related deaths and enliven the battle against other non-communicable diseases, helping to create a healthier world for all," Ban Ki-moon said in his message.