(VOVworld) – On World No Tobacco Day, the United Nations is advocating the use of plain packaging of tobacco products to reduce demand for such products, which kill nearly 6 million people every year.

On World No Tobacco Day, United Nations urges plain packaging of tobacco (Photo by: UN)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message that Sustainable Development Goal 3 aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” He said governments must be committed to implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries to reduce the percentage of smokers. According to that Convention, the plain packaging of tobacco products entails restricting or prohibiting the use of logos, colors, brand images or any promotional information other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font. The WHO said plain packaging is an important way to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products.