Appointing Miki Ando as "Anti-Smoking Ambassador"

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare held a "World No Tobacco Day Commemorative PR Event" at Tokyo Midtown in Minato Ward on May 31, designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World No Tobacco Day.

World No Tobacco Day, established by the WHO in 1989, marks its 27th year this year. MHLW designates the week starting on No Tobacco Day as "No Smoking Week," conducting awareness campaigns to widely promote a "tobacco-free environment" to the public.

At the opening, Seimi Akaishi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, stated in her address, "We hope this will be an opportunity to deepen understanding about tobacco and health based on accurate information." Yuko Arimori, a former female marathon runner serving as the ministry's "Vibrant Health Ambassador," contributed a video message stating, "Efforts to prevent smoking and secondhand smoke play a major role in extending Japan's healthy life expectancy."

 

Figure skater Miki Ando, appointed this year's "Smoking Cessation Ambassador," took the stage. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Akaishi presented her with the appointment certificate and sash.

Ando expressed her joy at being selected as ambassador, stating, "During my pregnancy, cigarette smoke bothered me greatly. Smoking harms those around the smoker more than the smoker themselves, and it can lead to illnesses like asthma in children." She also immediately addressed attendees, urging them, "I hope you'll quit smoking, even if it's just a little at a time." She spoke powerfully, adding, "I want to spread the importance of quitting smoking to my friends around the world. I will actively do what I can." The venue also featured booths by related companies and organizations, smoking cessation counseling, lung age checks, and other events.