Selling Smoke: Tobacco Advertising and Anti-Smoking Campaigns

International Anti-Smoking Efforts

On May 31st every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for policies to effectively reduce tobacco consumption.  Each World No Tobacco Day has a theme, including advocating use of graphic anti-smoking health warnings on tobacco products (2009), bans on tobacco advertising, promotions and sponsorships (2013), and other campaigns.

The Medical Historical Library holds over 3,000 international public health posters.  A portion of the collection documents anti-smoking efforts in a number of countries.  This gallery displays some of the striking posters used to help reduce smoking in countries worldwide.