The logo of World Health Organization

　The World Health Organization (WHO) is the largest health agency under the United Nations. It was formed on April 7, 1948, with a mission statement of "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health". WHO defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"

　　The WHO affairs are governed by delegations from 192 member nations. The main function of the committee is to plan and budget for the matters related to the main office, the regional office, and liaison offices, as well as decisions related to the people, history, management, cooperative research, employment opportunities, and intellectual properties.

　　Since 1990, the WHO has been using a different anti-tobacco theme every year. In 2002, its theme was Free Sports – Play It Clean! In 2003, it used the theme Tobacco Free Film, Tobacco Free Fashion. Action! These themes were aimed at encouraging the sports and film industries to say no to the tobacco industry's advertisement in the name of sponsorship. The theme for 2004 was Tobacco Control and Poverty, which made us aware that the problem brought on by the tobacco industry is poverty, and not economic development.

　　In May of 2003, the WHO passed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which clearly defines the guidelines for tobacco tax and tariff, stopping smuggling activities, and advertisement and promotion of the tobacco products. In February of 2005, the FCTC was put into action, becoming the first and only international health treaty. It standardizes the tobacco control policy for the nations around the world. Under the leadership of the highest executive member of the government, these nations are able to legislate and execute tobacco control laws in a short period of time.

　　Ever since Taiwan was forced to withdraw from the WHO in 1971, Taiwan hasn't been able to re-enter again. Even though the WHO's constitution clearly states that "the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition," unfortunately, the 23 million citizens of Taiwan have been stripped of this basic privilege due to political reasons.

　　From the intestinal virus epidemic in 1998 and the major earthquake in 1999, we could clearly see how the people in Taiwan have been experiencing unfair treatment and extra hardship due to its exclusion from the WHO. These events clearly point out the need for Taiwan to be a part of the WHO. We urge the WHO to stop ignoring Taiwan, to understand our pain and suffering, and to consider granting Taiwan the observership status in the WHO.

Website Link:

http://www.who.int/en/