The World Health Organization (WHO) says governments are not doing enough to protect citizens from secondhand smoke, and calls on them to urgently implement the tobacco treaty.

The call follows WHO’S recently released Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2009, which finds that, even as the global toll of tobacco grows, most governments are falling short in implementing the policies required by the international tobacco control treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Smokers support bans to prohibit smoking in the workplace, according to a new survey.

The international poll of nearly 5,000 people by research institute RTI International and Harris Interactive showed that nearly three-quarters of workers who smoke and 87 percent of employers support a smoke-free work environment.

Full story on Reuters’ website.

Anti-tobacco campaigners have prosecuted a tobacco industry expo in Thailand for violation of the country’s tobacco control law. This is the first time this has happened in a host country.

Anti-tobacco campaigner and national health foundation president of the Conference of Parties, WHO FCTC (2007-2008) Hatai Chitanondh said tobacco control advocates and alliances were prepared for the TabinfoAsia 2009 expo and “ready for the kill.”

Multinational tobacco companies pose the biggest barrier to smoke-free laws since they lose billions of dollars worth in sales, according to a recently released Global Smokefree Partnership (GSP) report.

The report, Rebutting the Tobacco Industry, Winning Smokefree Air, details the tobacco industry’s tactics to hold back legislation, alongside the positive impacts of governments, organizations and individuals who are challenging the industry, and winning.