Smoking and the use of tobacco products has been associated with disease and disability and leads to 8 million deaths per year worldwide. Half of all smokers are expected to die from tobacco related illness.
In addition to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease and lung cancer, smoking may also cause cancer in almost any organ.
Smoking is the leading cause of disease and death that is absolutely preventable.
The 31st May has been dedicated to raise awareness on this major public health risk worldwide. It was first established on 1987 by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) and every year has a different theme. To motivate smoking cessation, this year, the theme of the day is “Commit to Quit”. In line with the theme, the George D. Behrakis Research Lab message is:
“I choose not to smoke”
Agenda of the day
Date: May 31, 2021
Venue: Acropolis Museum Amphitheater
Live steaming: http://bit.ly/YYWNTD2021
Arrival Time by 18:15
18:30 Arrival of H.E. President of the Republic
Opening
Coordinator: Prof. Panagiotis Behrakis, President of the Tobacco Experts Committee of the Ministry of Health
- Greetings from H.E. President of the Republic
- Greetings from the Minister of Health
- Greetings from the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs
World No Tobacco Day Messages
- Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe (video)
- Ms.Zoe Rapti, Dep. Minister of Health
- Dr. David G. Horner, President of the American College of Greece
- Mr.Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, President of the Board of the National Public Health Organization
19:30 Political Positions
- Dr. Andreas Xanthos, Member of Parliament for Syriza, former Minister of Health
- Dr.Andreas Poulas, Member of Parliament for Kinal, Head of the Health Sector
- Dr. George Lambroulis, Member of the KKE, Vice President of the Parliament
20:00 Scientific Aspects
Coordinators: Prof. Panagiotis Behrakis, Prof.George Chrousos
- Prof. Panagiotis Prezerakos, General Secretary of Public Health, Ministry of Health
- Dr. Evangelos Filopoulos, President of the Hellenic Cancer Society
- Prof. Panagiotis Behrakis, Director of the Institute of Public Health, The American College of Greece
- Prof. Stylianos Loukidis, President of the Hellenic Thoracic Society
- Dr. Ioannis Kanakakis, President of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology
- Dr. Eleana Stoufi, Vice President of the Hellenic Society of Clinical Stomatology
Synopsis and Conclusions