Makkah, Madinah to Become Tobacco-Free

GENEVA, 27 February 2003 — The World Health Organization said yesterday that both Makkah and Madinah are on their way to becoming tobacco-free.

Hussein Al-Jazairi, WHO’s regional director for the Middle Eastern Region, told reporters that people accept the fact that health aspects are so important that they want to get rid of smoking. He said a Syrian village has declared itself tobacco free.

Al-Jazairi was addressing reporters on the sidelines of negotiations on a framework convention on tobacco control.