WHO Honors Nepal for Tobacco Control Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised and awarded Nepal for its strong efforts in reducing tobacco use.

On World No Tobacco Day 2025, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, gave the award to Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel at a program in Geneva during the 79th World Health Assembly.

Every year, WHO gives awards to people and organizations that work hard to control tobacco use. This year, Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population was chosen for its important work.

One of the main reasons for the award was the government's policy to make tobacco companies put health warnings on 100 percent of the front and back sides of their packaging. WHO said this was a big step in protecting public health.

The organization called Nepal’s action a “remarkable contribution” to the global fight against tobacco.