WHO also highlights in this year's campaign that an overwhelming majority of small tobacco farmers, especially in developing countries, live in poverty. "A big part of the health and economic costs related to tobacco are endured by small farmers and their families that grow the tobacco crop. Precarious labour conditions, including the use of child labour and exposure to highly toxic products, and a highly negative impact on the environment make tobacco an issue inextricably linked to poverty and other development issues," said Dr Catherine le Gal s-Camus, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO.

Approaching the end of the signature period of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) --open only until 29 June 2004--, this year's World No Tobacco Day campaign is also geared to demystify the economic benefits of tobacco by offering at the same time a solution to those countries that depend more heavily on this product. The WHO FCTC, adopted unanimously by all WHO Member States in May last year, sets out the provisions and minimum standards that State Parties to the Treaty will have to respect in their tobacco control programmes.

"We are very optimistic about the progress on the number of signatures and ratifications of the WHO FCTC," said Dr Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Director, Tobacco Free Initiative at WHO, referring to the current 118 signatures (including the EC) and 16 ratifications of the Treaty. "It shows the confidence governments of the world have in the Convention, and their commitment to deal with what has become a worldwide health and economic threat.''

Today, WHO notes that the tobacco epidemic is still expanding, especially in developing countries where, currently, 84% of the smokers live. Tobacco use kills 4.9 million people each year, and this toll it is expected to double in the next 20 years. At current rates, the total number of tobacco users is expected to rise to 1.7 billion by 2025 from 1.3 billion now.

To celebrate World No Tobacco Day, the Ministry of Health of Brazil and WHO are launching a two-day celebratory event in Bras?­lia, Brazil, while thousands of other activities and celebrations are taking place around the world.

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