Issue 36, 28 May 2009

In this edition Welcome News from the EU Reporting from across Europe Forthcoming Events New Publications What's New on Health-EU Focus
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Welcome

Help 2.0 campaign (2009-2010) on air for World No Tobacco Day

By Andrzej Rys, Director for Public Health, European Commission

The first phase of the "Help for a life without tobacco" campaign (2005-2008) – which targeted young people – was a great success. On 31 May, the Help 2.0 campaign will be launched as part of the celebrations for World No Tobacco Day.

Help 2.0 is an integrated campaign involving more than 100 television channels, the internet and new media such as mini-sites accessible using mobile phones. The whole campaign is web-driven – the objective being to draw young people to the Help website, which explains the dangers of smoking and links to our partners such as the European Network of Quitlines. The website is available in 22 languages, and EU and national public and press-relations events will accompany the web and media campaign.

The goal is to empower young people to take control of their health and lifestyle, rather than remain passive media targets. The campaign is being developed with the help of young people and youth organisations – for example, one of the new TV spots came directly out of an internet consultation with young people, and medical students will be members of national teams organising field events.

The creative strategy focuses on the collection, presentation, and implementation of tips – silly or serious – adressing the three traditional tobacco-control themes (prevention, quitting and passive smoking). The best tips will be used as creative material and may even be turned into TV spots or used in an online campaign. Because this is an EU-wide campaign, the strategy will be fine-tuned at national or regional levels to reflect cultural and social specifics.

www.help-eu.com – for a life without tobacco

News from the EU

Last call: participate in the EU Health Prize for Journalists until 15/06/09

Launched in February 2009, the EU Health Prize for Journalists will be awarded to stimulate high-quality journalism that raises awareness of issues related to healthcare and patients' rights.

Breakfast is Best

The objective of the ‘Breakfast is Best’ campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of breakfast as a meal and to ensure that breakfast is treated as a serious public policy issue across Europe.

EU-OSHA launches pan-European photo competition

This pan-European photo competition is organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work to promote awareness on occupational safety and health. The competition challenges everyone to capture their own image of safety and health at work.

Reporting from across Europe

Belgium

I like salt, but does it like me?

At the end of May, the Belgian Cardiological League, in cooperation with the health ministry's national nutrition and health plan, is launching an information campaign to encourage citizens to think twice about their salt consumption and its impact on their health.

United Kingdom

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence launches NHS Evidence

NHS Evidence is an online source of "fast, free, relevant and trustworthy" information for health and social care staff.

Forthcoming Events

International seminar on child violence prevention (4-5 June 2009)

The seminar is intended for WHO/Europe ministerial focal persons on violence and injury prevention and experts at local, regional and national levels.

First world conference of COPD patients (14 June 2009)

The goal of the conference is to define, ratify and plan the implementation of a Global Charter for (COPD) Patient Care.

World Blood Donor Day (14 June 2009)

The Council of Europe – which has supported blood transfusion initiatives for 50 years – is once again supporting World Blood Donor Day. The day honours those who have donated blood and encourages blood donations.

New Publications

Water pipes... fun to smoke, but bad for you

Water pipe or Hookah smoking has developed considerably in Europe in recent years. Water pipe bars have blossomed in our cities and an increasing number of young people buy water pipes to smoke at home.

Monograph on TB and tobacco control

Publication by WHO and the International Union against TB and lung disease on joining efforts to control two related global epidemics.

Eurobarometer survey on tobacco

According to the latest Flash Eurobarometer, an overwhelming majority of EU citizens support smoke-free public places such as offices (84%), restaurants (79%), bars, pubs and clubs (65%). These results are in line with those of the 2006 Eurobarometer and confirm the huge support for smoke-free policies in the EU.

A practical tool for developing a hospital crisis preparedness plan

This publication provides guidance on planning appropriate measures to be adopted by a hospital or other health facility to be better prepared to face a crisis. It covers specific measures and hints for preparedness for a communicable disease epidemic, such as an influenza pandemic. (English only)