Pushback: Statements and Actions to Counter Tobacco Industry Tactics - Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control

A. Countering Tobacco in the News

While TII intensifies during COVID-19, various organizations have pushed back with strong statements condemning the behavior of the tobacco industry and those furthering its interests; or calling for accelerated implementation of tobacco control measures during the pandemic and in the new normal.

	Organization/Person	Article Title	Relevant Statement	*Publisher*	Date
Bangladesh
1	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare	Production of Tobacco Products Including Cigarettes, Temporary Suspension of Marketing: Minister of Industry	“requested the Ministry of Health and Health to temporarily suspend the production, supply, marketing and sale of tobacco products…”	Channel 24 BD	May 20, 2020
2	Bangladesh Cancer Society	20 anti-tobacco organizations demand ban on tobacco goods manufacturingsale	“Describing Tobacco goods exacerbate COVID-19 infection and are not essential commodity…”	United News of Bangladesh	April 07, 2020
3	Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP)
4	Association for Community Development (ACD)
5	Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)
6	Aid Foundation
7	Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance
8	Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP)
9	Bangladesh Institute of Theatre Arts (BITA)
10	Grambangla Unnayan Committee
11	National Anti Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh (NATAB)
12	Prattashya
13	Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC)
14	National Heart Foundation
15	Dhaka Ahsania Mission
16	United Forum Against Tobacco (UFAT)
17	Tamak Birodhi Nari Jote (TABINAJ)
18	Voice
19	WBB Trust (Work for a Better Bangladesh)
20	Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA)
21	PROGGA		“Tobacco increases the likelihood of getting infected with novel coronavirus …”
Germany
22	Prof. Thomas Münzel, first author of the review	Cigarettes and Vape Claims Corona Virus Complications Claim	“”As formulated by WHO (World Health Organization), tobacco smoking and vaping can make COVID-19 symptoms worse, than those who don’t smoke…”	DetikHealth	June 30, 2020
22	Prof. Thomas Münzel, first author of the review	Vaping stiffens arteries leading to variety of health problems, study finds	“As outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco cigarette and waterpipe smoking may contribute to increased burden of symptoms due to Covid-19…”	The Irish Times	June 26, 2020
India
23	Jayesh Joshi, secretary of the Banswara-based Vaagdhara groupurged	Voluntary groups in Rajasthan seek complete ban on tobacco products	“urged the State government to impose a permanent ban on sale of cigarettes and tobacco products…”	The Hindu	May 22, 2020
24	The Pan Merchants’ Association		“… extended its support to the demand while affirming that a blanket ban on the sale of tobacco products …”	The Hindu	May 22, 2020
25	Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and Indian Council of Medical Research”s (ICMR)	Vardhan appeals all states UTs to ban sale of tobacco productsspitting in public	“…the Minister of Health recently shed light on the dangers of tobacco consumption…”	Outlook	May 15, 2020
Indonesia
26	Dr Feni Fitriani Taufik SpP (K)	Myth: Tobacco and Cloves Dispel Corona Virus	” The main and side smoke from cigarettes is dangerous, both for active and passive smokers…”	Republika	May 14, 2020
27	Prof. RA. Yayi Suryo Prabandari, professor of Health from the Faculty of Medicine Public Healthand Nursing (FK-KMK)	This UGM Professor said Nicotine Burning Cigarettes Is Not a Corona Virus Drug	“Prof. RA. Yayi Suryo Prabandari denied that nicotine burning cigarettes is said to be a corona virus drug . The opposite happened…”	Tribune News	April 30, 2020
28	Dr. Sumardi Sp.PD-KP		“…explained that smokers have a higher susceptibility to Covid-19 when viewed from the pathophysiological aspects…”
29	Made Kertaduana, Public health activists		“There is an industry involvement to normalize cigarettes. Maybe this situation is also a threat in the cigarette industry…”
30	The National Commission on Tobacco Control (NCTC)	NCTC, health groups urge Jokowi to ban smoking in COVID-19 ‘high-risk areas’	” … urged President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to enhance COVID-19 mitigation efforts by banning tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes …	The Jakarta Post	April 29, 2020
31	Ede Surya, Chairman, Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI)		“…despite the health risks of cigarette smoking, Indonesia still had 65.19 million smokers…”
32	Agus Dwi Susanto, Chairman, Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI)		“Cigarette smoking can also cause [COVID-19] transmission, as the smoke spreads respiratory droplets when exhaled…”
33	Esti Nurjadin, Chairman, Indonesian Heart Foundation (YJI)		“The government’s appeal to work and study from home had led to smokers smoking at home instead of at the office, which put their families at risk of inhaling secondhand smoke …”
34	Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah (Dr Agus Taufiqurrahman)	Will Indonesia mitigate COVID-19 by enforcing stronger tobacco control	“President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has been sent an appeal to urgently strengthen the response to corona virus disease in the country…”	Blitz	April 20, 2020
35	Majelis Pembina Kesehatan Umum PP Muhammadiyah – MPKU (Dr S Mohammad Agus Samsudin)
36	Ketua Perhimpunan Dokter Paru Indonesia (Dr Agus Dwi Susanto)
37	Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kardiovaskular Indonesia – PERKI (Dr Usman Firdaus)
38	Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Penyakit Dalam Indonesia – PAPDI (Dr Sally A Nasution)
39	Pengurus Pusat Ikatan Dokter Anak Indonesia IDAI (Dr Aman B Pulungan)
40	Tim Penanganan COVID-19 RS Persahabatan (Dr Erlina Burhan)
41	Ketua Umum Ikatan Ahli Kesehatan Masyarakat JAKMI (Dr Ede Surya Darmawan)
42	No Tobacco Community – NOTC Bogor (Bambang Priyono)
43	Forum Petani Multikultur Indonesia
44	Tulus Abadi, Chairperson of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI)	YLKI Asks Cigarette Excise to Rise During Corona Virus Pandemic	“The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) asked the government to make the pandemic moment of the new Corona virus or Covid-19 to raise cigarette excise as high as possible.”	Bisnis	April 16, 2020
45	Dr. Jaka Pradipta	Dr. Jaka Pradipta: STOP Smoking and Vaping Because It Will aggravate the symptoms of COVID-19	“make this COVID-19 momentum a perfect time for you, your partners, your family and your friends to stop smoking and vaping. Do it now, don’t delay…”	Portal Islam	March 28, 2020
Iran
46	Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association	Tobacco and Coronavirus; Statement of Iranian Anti-Tobacco Association	“several hypotheses proposed a relationship between tobacco consumption and the risk of being infected with coronavirus…”	Irianian Anti-Tobacco Association	Apriil 26, 2020
Ireland
47	Health Service Executive	People at higher risk from coronavirus	“Smoking may increase your risk of a more severe infection from coronavirus…”	Health Service Executive	June 25, 2020
Israel
48	Dr. Yael Bar-Zeev, Chair of the Israeli Medical Association for Smoking Cessation and Prevention	Smokers appear to be at higher risk from coronavirus – expert	“Smokers appear to be at higher risk from the coronavirus than non-smokers …”	Times of Israel	March 15, 2020
Japan
49	Dr. Tetsuro Ishizawaa, Japan Society for Tobacco Control-approved doctor and the head of Workers Clinic Ginza in the capital’s Chuo Ward	Smoking may spread coronavirus easily make symptoms worse: Tokyo doctor	” A smoker will bring their hands up to their mouth countless times, making it easier for any viral pathogens on their hands to enter the mouth or nose…”	The Mainichi	March 31, 2020
50	Tokyo Medical Association		“… World Health Organization (WHO) has urged people not to smoke because it increases the risk of developing heavy symptoms in the event of infection…”	The Mainichi	March 31, 2020
Kenya
51	Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance	Press Statement: Tobacco Industry Enjoying Impunity with Government Support	“We ask the government of Kenya to fully implement the laws that we have and to enable us to guard our gains and to move forward …”	Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance	June 29, 2020
52	Dr. Rashid Arman, Ministry of Health	Ban on tobacco advertisement promotion and sponsorship should be highly observed – Dr Aman	“Ban on tobacco advertisement promotion and sponsorship under the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 …”	Daily Nation	May 31, 2020
Lebanon
53	(K2P) Center and American University of Beirut – Faculty of Health Sciences Knowledge	Prompting Government Action for Tobacco Control in Lebanon during COVID-19 Pandemic	“Tobacco use increases risk of complications and severe infection from COVID-19 by 1.4-1.45 times…”	Knowledge to Policy (K2P) Center, Beirut, Lebanon	May 19, 2020
54	The Research Group to Reduce Smoking at the American University of Beirut	American Tobacco Control Resarch Group for Reggies Donation to Fight the Epidemic: Violates Tobacco Control Agreement	“…Corona emerging: Smoking damages the human immune system and makes smokers more vulnerable to various”	NNA	April 17, 2020
Mexico
55	Víctor George Flores	They recommend quitting tobacco use in this health contingency	“…both for those who smoke and for those who are exposed to tobacco smoke, hence the importance of leaving this practice that violates the lungs…”	Sudcaliforniano	May 28, 2020
56	Eduardo del Castillo, CODICE director	Call for greater tobacco regulation in the face of “deadly combination” with covid-19	“The electronic cigarette and any nicotine-consuming device have been subjected to very strict regulations …”	Milenio	May 22, 2020
57	Adriana Rocha, director of Civil Society at Polithink		” People with fewer resources are those who dedicate most of their income to the purchase of tobacco, displacing essential expenses…”
58	Belén Sáenz de Mieraan, academic from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur and a Just Health Researcher		” this would generate resources that are very necessary at the moment, but even more importantly, it would prevent large premature deaths by discouraging consumption and promoting cessation…”
59	Juan Núñez Guadarrama, Coordinator, Mexico Health-Talk Coalition		“A government and a society that fully understand what is happening in everyone’s life with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will be able to do it …”
60	Érick Ochoa, general director of Salud Justa Mx		” the new covid-19 is a dangerous and deadly virus that, combined with smoking, will increase the number of annual deaths…”
		Cigarette packs will warn of the ravages of the Covid-19	“Smoking can aggravate damage by Covid- 19… “	LaJornda Baja California	May 14, 2020
		The Tobacco Industry takes advantage of the pandemic despite selling a product that aggravates Covid-19 ”.	“… smoking and vaping are a risk factor that aggravates COVID-19 the tobacco industry takes advantage of the current…”	Salud Justa Mx	May 11, 2020
		Pandemic: reveal that cigarette smoke can transport coronavirus	“…people who have cormobility derived from the use of cigarettes and smokers should stop this addiction”	Head Topics Argentina	March 24, 2020
61	México Salud-Hable Coalition			Head Topics Argentina	March 24, 2020
62	Javier Zúñiga, lawyer	Tobacco companies take advantage of # QuédateEnCasa to promote their “smoke-free” products whose effects are not proven – violating Mexican laws and ignoring the WHO	“… Advertising, promotion and sponsorship is equated with tobacco products, and is prohibited…”	Business Insider Mexcio	April 28, 2020
63	Dr. Guadalupe Ponciano, Director, Tobacco Research and Prevention Program at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNAM.		“The symptoms of coronavirus disease are no different in smokers, what does happen is that it can be much more serious…”
64	Emanuel Vega Sánchez, Pulmonologist		“…explained that smokers upon arrival at the hospital are those who “they get more serious. ””
65	Jorge Cárdenas, teacher, International Union against Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases		“tobacco companies are corporate entities that, despite having legal activity, behave in contradiction with the agenda of human rights and sustainable development goals…”
66	Salud Justa Mx	SMOKING AND VAPPING INCREASE THE RISK OF COMPLICATIONS BY CORONAVIRUSES	“… smoking or vaping and COVID-19 it is proven that such practices affect the immune system which must be strong to survive the coronavirus”	Medicable	March 24, 2020
67	The National Commission against Addictions (Conadic)		“the Covid-19 was “particularly dangerous” for smokers, especially those who “smoke tobacco, marijuana, or vape.”	Medicable	March 24, 2020
68	Daniel Alberto Díaz Martínez, Secretary, Health of Guanajuato	Smokers, sector vulnerable to Coronavirus	” highlighted that the population of smokers was also at a significant risk of contagion…”	Notus	March 20, 2020
Nigeria
69	Hilda Ochefu	Nigeria: Tobacco Control Campaign During a Pandemic – Lessons and Opportunities	“… The current pandemic calls for continued vigilance by advocates…”	All Africa	May 21, 2020
70	Bernadette Chime	COVID 19: For The Tobacco Industry About Profit	“… It cannot be good for non-smokers; same way it is not for smokers that researchers say are much more likely to progress to the severe stage of COVID-19…”	Leadership	May 13, 2020
71	Laurent Huber, Executive Director, Actions on Smoking in Health	Tobacco watchdogs express COVID-19 related concerns in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Indonesia	“By putting their employees and, by extension the rest of the population, at greater risk from coronavirus…”	EnviroNews Nigeria	May 08, 2020
Pakistan
72	Ahad Ali Awan	Tax tobacco, save lives	“… smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with Covid-19 as compared to non-smokers…”	Daily Times	June 12, 2020
73	Khurram Hashmi, the National Coordinator of CTC-Pak	CTC resents tobacco industry’s deceptive ploys	“The aggressive campaign by the tobacco industry to take attention away from the real and dangerous problem of smoking …”	The International News	May 31, 2020
74	Azhar Saleem, CEO Human Development Foundation (HDF)	Tobacco industry targeting vulnerable communities in times of Covid-19 pandemic	“… urged the government on behalf of tobacco control activists to take strict actions against tobacco industry and ban the sale of tobacco products…”	Pakistan Observer	May 07, 2020
Russia
75	Alexander Palman, pulmonologist, first Sechenov Moscow State Medical University,	Russian doctor debunked smoking myth associated with coronavirus	“Today, the position of medicine is as follows: quit smoking at the same time…”	Time BoaltaeW	June 23, 2020
76	Alexei Nemeryuk, first deputy head of the apparatus of the mayor and government of Moscow, the head of the department of trade and services	Moscow authorities said that the ban on smoking hookahs in cafes will continue after they open	“…In accordance with the decree of the mayor, the established ban on smoking hookahs in restaurants, bars, cafes and other public places is maintained”	Tass	June 09, 2020
South Africa
77	Dr Elijah Doro, a post-doctoral fellow in the history department at Stellenbosch University	COVID must frame new conversation on SA tobacco regulation	“desperate attempt to frame the debate in terms of smokers’ personal choices and the ban as a violation of the social contract…”	Medical Brief	July 01, 2020
78	Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of co-operative governance & traditional affairs	This is why we banned cigarette sales: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma tells court Government wants 100% smoking ban in public areas Why the cigarette ban during lockdown? Five medical experts weigh in	“President Cyril Ramaphosa has since announced that cigarettes will remain banned under level 3 of the lockdown, which starts on June 1…”	Sunday Times	May 27, 2020
79	Professor Keertan Dheda, Head of Division of Pulmonology at the University of Cape Town	Why the cigarette ban during lockdown? Five medical experts weigh in	“…smoking is associated with chronic lung and heart disease – which are major risk factors for worse outcomes in patients with Covid-19”	Health24	April 24, 2020
80	Associate Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit, Consultant Pulmonologist at Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town		“Not smoking at this time or stopping smoking is a very good option, always – but especially at this time”
81	Professor Sean Wasserman, Infectious Diseases Specialist at Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town		“… the incremental benefit of smoking bans may not outweigh the potential harms…”
82	Professor Wolfgang Preiser, Head of the Division of Medical Virology at the University of Stellenbosch		“Smoking is probably a risk factor for more severe Covid-19, …”
83	Professor Shaheen Mehtar, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Specialist at Tygerberg Hospital, Stellenbosch University		“… If adults understand the risk of sharing cigarettes, I am sure they will try to avoid getting infected”
84	Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry		“Traders will be limited ‘only to sell the essential good that are set out in the regulations’…”
85	National Council Against Smoking (NCAS)	Smoking Associated with worse COVID – 19 Symptoms and Outcomes	“… smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke though do not cause COVID-19 still increase people’s vulnerability to infection…”	National Smoking Against Smoking
South Korea
86	The Republic of South Korea	South Korea incorporates smoking and obesity into high-risk population of new coronary pneumonia	“South Korean epidemic prevention authorities included smoking and obesity into the “high-risk population” of new coronary pneumonia.”	Tobacco China	May 07, 2020
Sri Lanka
87	Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa, Chairman of National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA)	Hold tobacco industry accountable for the harm caused by COVID-19	“…the Minister of Health recently shed light on the dangers of tobacco consumption…”	Daily Mirror	April 18, 2020
Switzerland
88	Yannick Romero, Union for International Cancer Control	‘Corona-washing’: How the tobacco industry is advancing its interests in the midst of the pandemic	“… warned against smoking as well as vaping as these can increase the risk of developing serious symptoms if coronavirus is contra”	Union for International Cancer Control	April 17, 2020
Uganda
89	Uganda National Health Consumers Organization	Petition to the COVID-19 National Task-force: Government has a Duty to Protect Public Health Laws and Policies from Commercial and Other Vested Interests of the Tobacco Industry	“Under the WHO’s framework convention on tobacco control Uganda is not supposed to deal with the tobacco industry…”	Uganda National Health Consumers Organization	April 15, 2020
United Kingdom
90	Dr. Nick Hopkinson, the chairman of Action campaign on Smoking & Health (Ash)	More than 300,000 UK smokers may have quit owing to Covid-19 fears	“Evidence is growing that smoking is associated with worse outcomes in those admitted to hospital with Covid-19.”	The Guardian	May 04, 2020
91	Ruth Tennant, the tobacco lead for the Association of Directors of Public Health		“There are so many reasons to quit smoking but never a more important time than right now during the coronavirus pandemic.”
92	Dr. Charlie Kenward, GP from Bristol Cllr		“Stopping smoking remains the single biggest thing people can do to improve their overall health…”
93	Ian Hudspeth, community wellbeing board chairman at the Local Government Association		“Councils can help the government to achieve its ambition of eliminating smoking in England by 2030…”
USA
94	Dr. Jamie Garfield, a lung care doctor in Philadelphia and volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association	Knowing Evali, Lung Problems Due to Vape with Similar Symptoms of Covid-19	“Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking. Whatever you put in your lungs aside from clean air can increase your risk of lung injury,”	Suara	July 1, 2020
95	Dr. Michael Matthay, the associate director of critical care medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF)	Coronavirus: Does smoking vaping increase your risk of contracting COVID-19	“…cigarette smoking and vaping will increase the risk of coronavirus pneumonia and increase its severity…”	Independent	May 20, 2020
96	National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH)		“…compromised lung function or lung disease related to smoking history…could put people at risk for serious complications of Covid-19″	Independent	May 20, 2020
97	Vito Grasso, EVP New York State Academy of Family Physicians	NYSAFP: Ban Tobacco/Vaping Products During COVID-19 Pandemic	“A ban on the sale of smoking and vaping products would help reduce these dangerous practices generally …”	American Academy of Famliy Physicians	April 07, 2020
98	Barbara Keber, M.D., president of NYSAFP		“It is critical for the state and medical community to take actions to prevent our youth from ever using these highly addictive, deadly products…”
99	Jason Matuszak, M.D., president-elect of the NYSAFP		“Since smoking has been a demonstrated risk factor for COVID-19 disease progression, which leads to increased use of medical services…”
100	Bonnie Hackbarth, vice president of external affairs for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky	Anti-smoking group pleased with tax on e-cigarette products	“Officials with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky are pleased with a provision in the state budget that places a new excise tax on e-cigarette pods.”	Messenger Inquirer	April 05, 2020
101	Ben Chandler, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky president and CEO	Anti-smoking group pleased with tax on e-cigarette products	“…inhaling toxins that are shown to damage the lungs puts these kids and every other smoker and vaper in the commonwealth at greater risk for serious complications from COVID-19”	Messenger Inquirer	April 05, 2020
102	Chris Owens, director of St. Joseph’s Health CNY Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems	Health Experts Say Smoking and Vaping Increase Risk of Catching Coronavirus	“Their lungs are comprised because of their tobacco use. We also know the coronavirus tends to target the respiratory system.”	Spectrum Local News	March 29, 2020
103	Erik Boergesson, director of St. Joseph’s Health CNY Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems		“There’s chronic changes that smoking does to the lungs. And also the acute changes you get from smoking — just the chemicals in the cigarette smoke…”	Spectrum Local News	March 29, 2020
104	New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio	Watch live: New York officials hold press conference on state’s first coronavirus case	“‘…If you are a smoker or a vaper this is a very good time to stop that habit and we will help you.’”	CNBC	March 02, 2020
105	Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University	Here’s how that rumor that smokers can’t get COVID-19 got started	“a careful review of the data [from the French study] instead reveals the findings are more likely due to statistical flaws and sampling error…”	Salon	May 13, 2020
106	John Maa, M.D., past-president at San Francisco Marin Medical Society			Salon	May 13, 2020
Vietnam
107	Assoc.Prof.Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue – Director of Administration of Health Care, Director of the Tobacco Control Fund (Ministry of Health)	Smoking may increase the risk of COVID-19	“…smokers are susceptible to bacterial and viral pneumonia, including COVID-19”	Bao Vinh Long	June 30, 2020
Zimbabwe
108	National Union for Tobacco Industry and Allied Trades	Tobacco watchdogs express COVID-19 related concerns in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Indonesia	“demanded annual tobacco auctions be suspended while the country was in a national lockdown.”	EnviroNews Nigeria	May 08, 2020
Zambia
109	Chileshe Mange, CTPD Researcher	Zero-tolerance on tobacco consumption particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic gets support	“…urged the government to enhance enforcement of existing legislation which prohibits smoking in public places…”	Lusakatimes	April 08, 2020

B. Countering Tobacco Tactics in Statements and Letters

Public health advocates from across the world have exposed the tobacco industry’s tactics during COVID-19 and called for change. Tobacco industry and those furthering its interests have marketed their products, lobbied for the relaxation of tobacco control measures, promoted misleading information on COVID-19 and smoking/ vaping,/ nicotine, and publicized its so-called CSR or token donations or utilized the same to access policymakers.

	Country	Organization/Person	Audience/Platform	Date
1	Australia	Australian Health Promotion Association^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
2	Australia	Cancer Council Victoria¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
3	Australia	Melbourne School of Population and Global Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
4	Australia	Menzies School of Health Research^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
5	Australia	University of Sydney – School of Public Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
6	Australia	Curtin University¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
7	Australia	Journal of Smoking Cessation (Cambridge University Press) / Adjunct Associate ProfessorUniversity of Notre Dame Australia¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
8	Australia	University of South Australia ¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
9	Australia	Rob Moodie, Professor of Public Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
10	Australia	David Thomas, Professor and Head of Tobacco Control Research, Menzies School of Health Research^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
11	Australia	Simon Chapman, Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney – School of Public Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
12	Australia	Mike Daube, Emeritus Professor, Curtin University¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
13	Australia	Renne Bittoun, Tobacco Treatment Specialist / Founding Editor in Chief, Journal of Smoking Cessation (Cambridge University Press) / Adjunct Associate ProfessorUniversity of Notre Dame Australia¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
14	Australia	Sharon Lawn, Professor & Director, University of South Australia ¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
15	Austria	Austrian Council on Smoking and Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
16	Bangladesh	Grambangla Unnayan Committee (GUC)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
17	Bangladesh	Pratyasha Anti-Drugs Club¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
18	Belgium	Smoke Free Partnership^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
19	Belgium	Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
20	Belgium	European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention – ENSP¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
21	Brazil	University of Sao Paulo^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
22	Brazil	Oswaldo Cruz Foundation^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
23	Brazil	Melissa Mialon PhD in nutrition BSc in food science and engineering, University of Sao Paulo^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
24	Brazil	Silvana Rubano Turci, Coordinator, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
25	Bulgaria	Smoke-Free Bulgaria Association^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
26	Bulgaria	BlueLink Foundation^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
27	Bulgaria	Smoke Free Life Coalition^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
28	Colombia	Red PaPaz Sede Nacional¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
29	Finland	ASH Finland^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
30	Global	Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP)³	policymakers/governments	June 8, 2020
31	Hong Kong	Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
32	India	Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Studies in Rural Development^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
33	India	Gramin Vikas Sewa Samiti¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
34	India	MANT (Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
35	India	Marathwada Gramin Vikas Sanstha¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
36	India	PRASAR¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
37	India	SGSS¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
38	India	Balajee Sewa Sansthan^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
39	India	Healis Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
40	India	Mira B. Aghi, Consultant, Healis Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
41	Indonesia	National Committee on Tobacco Control^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
42	Indonesia	FCTC for Indonesia¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
43	Indonesia	Lentera Anak Foundation¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
44	Ireland	ASH Ireland, Council of the Irish Heart Foundation¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
45	Israel	Smoke Free Israel^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
46	Israel	Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
47	Israel	Tel Aviv University¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
48	Israel	Laura Rosen, Professor, Tel Aviv University¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
49	Italy	Department of Environmental Health Sciences – Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
50	Italy	Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
51	Italy	Alessandra LugoPhD, Department of Environmental Health Sciences – Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
52	Italy	Silvano Gallus, Head, Laboratory of Lifestyle Epidemiology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
53	Japan	Tobacco-Free Advocacy Japan (TFAJ)^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
54	Japan	NPO Tobacco-Free Advocacy Japan (TFAJ)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
55	Kazakhstan	National Coalition “For smoke-free Kazakstan”¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
56	Lebanon	The American University of Beirut, in the person of its president, Professor Faddoul Khoury⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
57	Lebanon	St. Joseph University in the person of its President, Professor Salim Dakkash⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
58	Lebanon	The Antonine University, in the person of its President, Father Professor Michel Jalakh⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
59	Lebanon	The Lebanese American University in the person of its President, Professor Michel Moawad⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
60	Lebanon	The Syndicate of Doctors in Lebanon, in the person of Captain Professor Sharaf Abu Sharaf⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
61	Lebanon	Syndicate of nurses in the person of Captain Mirna Doumit⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
62	Lebanon	The Engineers Syndicate, in the person of Captain Gad Tabet⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
63	Lebanon	The Beirut Bar in the person of Captain Mahalam Khalaf⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
64	Lebanon	Syndicate of specialists in social work in Lebanon in the person of Captain Nadia Badran⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
65	Lebanon	College of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut-Center for Policy⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
66	Lebanon	Rationalization at the American University of Beirut⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
67	Lebanon	Campaign 174 to implement the smoke-free law⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
68	Lebanon	WHO Knowledge Center on Hookah Smoking⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
69	Lebanon	Research group to reduce smoking at the American University of Beirut⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
70	Lebanon	Lebanese Thoracic Society⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
71	Lebanon	The Lebanese Association of Malignant Swelling Doctors⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
72	Lebanon	Lebanese Association for Family Medicine⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
73	Lebanon	Lebanese Association for Obstetrics and Gynecology⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
74	Lebanon	Lebanese Pathology Society⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
75	Lebanon	The smoking cessation program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
76	Lebanon	Smoking cessation center at Hotel Dieu Hospital⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
77	Lebanon	The General Secretariat of the Catholic Schools⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
78	Lebanon	Association of Evangelical Schools in Lebanon⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
79	Lebanon	Free Life Association without smoking⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
80	Lebanon	Earth Association – Lebanon⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
81	Lebanon	The Boecker Foundation⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
82	Lebanon	European Furniture Traders and Importers Association⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
83	Lebanon	Carla Khairallah, Theater Professor⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
84	Lebanon	Ferial Khoury⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
85	Lebanon	Nadine Asaad Zayour, General Health Nutritionist⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
86	Lebanon	Anastasia Salama, pharmacist⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
87	Lebanon	Nour Al-Bedawi: A student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
88	Lebanon	Othman Jamal, Projects Coordinator, Cayan Foundation⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
89	Lebanon	Mahmoud Kanso, a student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
90	Lebanon	Maryam Rizk, a student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
91	Lebanon	Khaled Araji, a student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
92	Lebanon	Bassam Nasser, a student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
93	Lebanon	Zainab Awad, a student⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
94	Lebanon	Dr. Zeina Aoun, President of the Lebanese Thoracic Society and director of the Smoking Cessation Center at Hotel Dieu Hospital⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
95	Lebanon	Mona Ghattas⁴	policymakers/governments	June 12, 2020
96	Malaysia	MyWATCH, Malaysia Women Action for Tobacco Control and Health ^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
97	Malaysia	Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
98	Malaysia	Malaysian Medical Association^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
99	Malaysia	Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
100	Malaysia	Malaysian Green Lung Association¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
101	Malaysia	Smoke Free Kuala Lumpur (KLBAR)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
102	Malaysia	Yong Check Yoon, Independent researcher¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
103	Netherlands	Dutch Alliance for a Smokefree Society¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
104	New Zealand	Population Nutrition and Global HealthUniversity of Auckland¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
105	New Zealand	University of Otago¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
106	New Zealand	Boyd Swinburn, Professor of Population Nutrition and Global Health, Population Nutrition and Global HealthUniversity of Auckland¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
107	New Zealand	Janet Hoek, Professor of Public Health and Marketing, University of Otago¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
108	Norway	Norwegian Cancer Society^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
109	Philippines	Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
110	Philippines	Philippine Pediatric SocietyInc.¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
111	Philippines	University of the Philippines Manila – College of Public HealthPhilippines¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
112	Philippines	Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
113	Philippines	Buenalyn Teresita Ramos-Mortel MD , University of the Philippines Manila – College of Public HealthPhilippines¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
114	Philippines	Godwin Aja, Professor, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
115	Poland	Health Promotion Foundation¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
116	Portugal	Portuguese Confederation of Tobacco Prevention¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
117	Portugal	Portuguese NGO Movement for Tobacco Control¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
118	Spain	Nofumadores.org (non-smokers.org)^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
119	Spain	Comité Nacional para la Prevención del Tabaquismo (CNPT)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
120	Spain	FAECAP Federation of Family and Community Nursing Associations¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
121	Spain	GAT SEMFYC (Family Doctors)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
122	Spain	Sociedad Española de Espacialistas en Tabaquismo (SEDET)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
123	Portugal	Center for Advocacy, Treatment and Recovery¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
124	Spain	Spanish Heart Foundation¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
125	Sri Lanka	Centre for Combating Tobacco^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
126	Sri Lanka	Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
127	Sri Lanka	University of Colombo^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
128	Sri Lanka	H. R. Prabath Hewasundara, University of Colombo^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
129	Switzerland	World Heart Federation^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
130	Switzerland	OxySuisse¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
131	Tanzania	Tanzania Tobacco Control Forum^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
132	Thailand	Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)a partner in STOP^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
133	Ukraine	Advocacy Center “LIFE”¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
134	United Kingdom	Tobacco Control Research Group University of Bath a partner in STOP¹	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
135	United Kingdom	NCD Alliance^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
136	United Kingdom	ASH Scotland¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
137	United Kingdom	Fresh (Making Smoking History)¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
138	United Kingdom	Public HealthKings College London^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
139	United Kingdom	University of Bath¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
140	United Kingdom	University of Edinburgh¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
141	United Kingdom	Cambridge¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
142	United Kingdom	London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
143	United Kingdom	Group for Research on Inequalities and Tobacco ControlUniversity of Edinburgh^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
144	United Kingdom	Tobacco Industry watcher^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
145	United Kingdom	Institute of Psychology Health & Society^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
146	United Kingdom	University of Bristol^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
147	United Kingdom	Alan Maryon-Davis, Honorary Professor of Public Health, Public Health Kings College London^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
148	United Kingdom	Harry Rutter, Professor of Global Public Health, University of Bath¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
149	United Kingdom	Jamie Pearce, Professor of Health Geography, University of Edinburgh¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
150	United Kingdom	Jim McCambrige, Professor, Cambridge¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
151	United Kingdom	Mark Petticrew, Professor of Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
152	United Kingdom	Amanda Amos, Convenor, Group for Research on Inequalities and Tobacco ControlUniversity of Edinburgh^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
153	United Kingdom	Norbert Hirschhorn, Tobacco Industry watcher, Tobacco Industry watcher^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
154	United Kingdom	Simon Capewell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Psychology Health & Society^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
155	United Kingdom	Stephan Lewandowsky, Professor, University of Bristol^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
156	United Kingdom	Sarah Hill, Senior Lecturer, Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
157	United Kingdom	Tony Jewell, Retired Chief Medical Officer for Wales¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
158	USA	Action on Smoking and Health (ASH US)^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
159	USA	Corporate Accountability^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
160	USA	The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease a partner in STOP^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
161	USA	Vital Strategies^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
162	USA	Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
163	USA	Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, a program of Hawaii Public Health Institute¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
164	USA	University of California^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
165	USA	University of California San Francisco – Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
166	USA	Ruth E. Malone, Professor of Nursing and Health Policy / Editor-in-Chief, Tobacco Control, University of California^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
167	USA	Stanton A. Glantz, Professor of Medicine and Director, University of California San Francisco – Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education^{1 2}	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020
168	Vietnam	HealthBridge Foundation of Canada Vietnam Office¹	policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020
169	Zambia	Tobacco – Free Association of Zambia	United Nations Secretary General and policymakers/governments	May 15, 2020 April 30, 2020

¹Letter to the Delegates of the 73rd World Health Assembly

² An Open Letter to the Secretary General of the United Nation

³As Costs Pile Up for COVID-19, Tobacco Companies Should Be Held Accountable for Smoking-Related Health Harms

⁴Open Letter: Continue to implement the decision to prevent the hookah in public places