Tobacco kills more than 5 million people a year from cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, including about 600,000 from second-hand smoke, according to the World Health Organisation .
Developing countries are the new frontier for tobacco companies, which often target women and girls, and smoking rates remain high among poor people in affluent countries, it said. Many of the developing countries have little or no medical care to cope with the health consequences for smokers. Just slightly more than 5 percent of the world's population is protected by national smoke-free laws.Fewer than one third of treaty members restrict advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.
"As we all know, the tobacco industry is ruthless, devious, rich and powerful" Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general told a meeting "...If Big Tobacco is in retreat in some parts of the world, it is on the march in others"
Corporate Accountability International said in a statement."Big Tobacco promotes its addictive and deadly product to kids with images like Philip Morris's Marlboro Man, by sponsoring rock concerts and sporting events, and by putting tobacco brand names and logos on everything from T-shirts to patio umbrellas,"
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