World No-Tobacco Day: Informative session on smoking and vaping

In the lead-up to World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2019, UNSMIS, in collaboration with the UNOG Medical Service, organized a series of information sessions and workshops on smoking and vaping. The sessions aimed to educate staff about the opportunities available to participate in a smoking cessation program.

Since 2014, UN Geneva had already made its indoor premises smoke-free and imposed a complete ban on the sale of tobacco products, aligning with A/RES/63/8 - Smoke-free United Nations premises. To mark World No Tobacco Day in 2019, the organization took further steps by expanding its smoking policy. Designated smoking shelters were introduced, and a free smoking cessation program was offered to staff members, funded by the United Nations Staff Mutual Insurance Society.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Head of the Convention Secretariat from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Dr. Vera Luiza, along with Mr. Clemens Adams, UNOG Director of Administration, inaugurated the smoking cessation program, symbolizing a collective effort to promote a healthier and smoke-free environment at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Participating in this session:

Speaker

Dr Vera Luiza DA COSTA E SILVA, Head of the Convention Secretariat from WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Moderator

Viviane BRUNNE, Knowledge & Learning Commons, Library & Archives, Geneva