Agence France-Presse: WHO chief wants tobacco firms pushed ‘out of business’
“World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan urged global action Wednesday to drive tobacco companies ‘out of business’ and hailed progress in tackling smoking in many countries. Speaking at the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi, she welcomed steps taken by several countries, led by Australia, to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes…” (Al-Nahhas, 3/18).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. health agency: ‘Push back hard’ against tobacco industry to protect public health
“The head of the United Nations health agency [Wednesday] welcomed new data showing that non-smoking is becoming the new norm but urged global action to ‘push back hard’ against the tobacco industry, saying: ‘We do not have the riches of the tobacco industry, but we are right and we are resolved’…” (3/18).

VOA News: WHO Chief Wants to Put Tobacco Industry ‘Out of Business’
“…[Margaret] Chan said cigarette companies use all kinds of tactics to try to undermine anti-tobacco laws around the world, including funding political parties and giving money directly to politicians. ‘Governments wishing to protect their citizens through larger pictorial warnings on cigarette packs or by introducing plainer packaging are being intimidated by industry’s threats of lengthy and costly litigation,’ she said…(3/18).