That is why we chose to focus this year s World No Tobacco Day on entertainment. We want the world to know how tobacco products are directly and indirectly marketed through films, music and sports. The tobacco industry looks for 11,000 new smokers every day to replace those who die from tobacco. And they succeed. Every day, between 82,000 and 99,000 teenagers - even children start smoking or chewing tobacco.
Adults can choose for themselves, at least if they have full access to information.
Children and adolescents cannot. Over eighty percent of smokers in many countries started before they were 18. By the time they find out nicotine is addictive, it is too late. Friends, We know that the tobacco industry is a global force. We know that national successes such as the Thai experience can be undone if they are not globally underpinned.