Topic: World Health Organization

Unknown Disease Killed 56 Children In Cambodia – And Its Getting More Press Than A Known Epidemic

Unknown Disease Killed 56 Children In Cambodia - And Its Getting More Press Than A Known Epidemic

There is an unknown and deadly disease killing children in Cambodia. So far, at least 56 kids have died of the mysterious illness. There have been only one or two survivors. All of the victims have been from age 2 – 7. That’s enough to terrify anyone on a Monday morning, until you start thinking about the even bigger problem that’s getting much less press coverage. More »

5 Seriously Disturbing Facts About the Smoking Scene In China

5 Seriously Disturbing Facts About the Smoking Scene In China

If you’re smoking in a public space in China right now (bar, restaurant, hospital waiting room, domestic flight, hotel lobby, etc.), then you’re breaking the law. But then again, if you’re smoking in a public space in China right now, you probably won’t get into much trouble, even though the country’s new smoking-in-public-places ban legally went into effect two days ago. (Oh, and you can still smoke at work. Yay!) The reason you’ll get away with lighting up at your leisure? The punishment for violators is nominal and negligible: Sure, maybe a restaurant or bar will get fined $5,000 or less for letting its patrons puff for pleasure. But first, that law would need to be enforced by someone. Which, by any and all accounts I’ve read, it’s not, and may never be. And so far, there aren’t any penalties for individuals who break the new law. WTF, China? Where the hell are all your standard draconian consequences?

Now, I have no desire to deprive Chinese citizens of any of their individual human rights, including their right to smoke if they so choose. (Historically, China has infringed upon its citizens’ rights all too effectively on its own.) But if this country is going to make a weak, half-baked attempt to ban smoking in public places (even just to appease the World Health Organization), then it really should impose some realistic penalties and consequences on those businesses and venues that violate the law. More »

Happy World Health Day: The World Health Organization celebrates World Health Day with their “1000 cities – 1000 lives” campaign to make cities healthier.