World No Tobacco Day 2026 awards: advancing accountability and protecting future generations

Every year on 31 May, WHO marks World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) as part of its global campaign led with public health advocates to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use and expose the harmful tactics of these industries. This year's theme highlights the urgent need to strengthen accountability and protect younger generations from an evolving landscape of products designed to sustain nicotine addiction.

Across the WHO European Region, the tobacco and nicotine industries continue to adapt their strategies, introducing new products, exploiting regulatory gaps and using misleading narratives to undermine proven public health measures. These tactics increasingly target children and young people, reinforcing the need for comprehensive, forward-looking policies and strong enforcement mechanisms.

The public health community is responding in a variety of ways: from strategic litigation and scientific research to political leadership and targeted tobacco control interventions. These efforts, led by a diverse set of actors, are driving meaningful progress.

The 2026 WNTD awards recognize 6 exceptional individuals and organizations from the WHO European Region who are advancing tobacco control by strengthening implementation of evidence-based measures, countering industry interference and protecting populations from tobacco- and nicotine-related harms.

France: Comité national contre le tabagisme

In France, the Comité national contre le tabagisme (National Committee for Tobacco Control; CNCT) has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to tobacco control through strategic litigation, policy advocacy and rigorous monitoring of industry practices. Acting on behalf of the French Ministry of Health, CNCT has used legal action to support effective enforcement of tobacco control legislation, challenge unlawful marketing practices and defend key measures such as plain packaging and advertising restrictions.

CNCT has also played a pivotal role in shaping major policy advances, including the adoption of plain packaging and stronger safeguards against tobacco industry interference. Through its Génération sans tabac platform and its leadership within the French tobacco control alliance, the organization has also become a trusted source of independent information, supporting public awareness and policy development across the French-speaking world.

Republic of Moldova: Dr Svetlana Nicolaescu, Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Health

Dr Svetlana Nicolaescu, has been a driving force behind the Republic of Moldova's modern tobacco control framework, advancing comprehensive, evidence-based policies aligned with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and European Union standards. She has contributed to strengthening smoke-free environments, packaging and labelling requirements, as well as regulation of emerging tobacco and nicotine products.

Between 2023 and 2025, she played a central role in securing new legislative measures to protect children and young people, including a ban on nicotine pouches and the expansion of smoke- and aerosol-free areas in outdoor spaces frequented by minors. Her leadership in mobilizing a broad coalition of stakeholders helped to overcome strong industry opposition and build sustained political and societal support.

Romania: Professor Florin Dumitru Mihălțan, President, Romanian Society of Pneumology

Professor Florin Dumitru Mihălțan has been a leading voice in tobacco control and nicotine addiction prevention for over 3 decades. As a clinician, academic and advocate, he has played a key role in advancing smoking cessation and strengthening tobacco control policies in Romania and across Europe.

With more than 500 scientific publications and 20 books, his work has significantly contributed to the evidence base on tobacco use, respiratory disease and prevention strategies. Through his leadership roles and extensive research, he has consistently bridged science, clinical practice and policy, supporting the implementation of effective, evidence-based measures.

Spain: Dr Mónica García-Gómez, Minister of Health

Dr Mónica García-Gómez has demonstrated exceptional political leadership in advancing ambitious tobacco and nicotine control policies in Spain. Since taking office in 2023, she has transformed the national tobacco control strategy into a concrete legislative agenda, addressing regulatory gaps and responding to the rapid evolution of nicotine products.

In 2025, she led a major reform package that included a proposed ban on disposable e-cigarettes and expanded smoke-free outdoor environments and restrictions on flavours and nicotine levels designed to reduce product appeal among young people. Her decisive action has strengthened Spain's regulatory framework and marked a significant step towards a tobacco-free future.

Switzerland: Ms Susann Koalick, Head, Nicotine Dependence Treatment and Cessation Services, Klinik Barmelweid

Susann Koalick has shown outstanding leadership in integrating tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment into health-care systems over nearly 3 decades. At Klinik Barmelweid, she has embedded cessation support into routine care, contributing to the institution's recognition for its comprehensive implementation of tobacco-free health-care standards.

She has also played a central role in national and international initiatives, which included founding the Forum for Nicotine Prevention and Counseling Switzerland (Forum Nikotinprävention und Beratung Schweiz) and serving as Chair of the Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services. Through training, research and professional exchange platforms, she has strengthened health-care system responses to nicotine dependence.

United Kingdom: Dr Allen Gallagher, University of Bath

Dr Allen Gallagher is a leading independent researcher on illicit tobacco trade, whose work has been instrumental in strengthening evidence-based policy-making. His research has provided critical insights into tracking and tracing systems, the scale and dynamics of illicit trade and the role of the tobacco industry in shaping related narratives.

At a time when industry claims about illicit trade are used to challenge effective tobacco control measures, his rigorous and independent analyses have helped to counter misinformation and support governments and international organizations in implementing robust policies. His contributions have strengthened global efforts to reduce tobacco use and protect public revenues.

Background

The 2026 WNTD award winners represent a diverse and powerful coalition of actors working to protect public health. Their achievements demonstrate that progress depends on strong leadership, scientific integrity, legal accountability and sustained collaboration.

As the tobacco and nicotine industries continue to evolve and seek new ways to attract users, particularly young people, these champions show that decisive action and unwavering commitment can safeguard future generations and accelerate progress towards a tobacco- and nicotine-free world.