The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has opened applications for the 2026 World No Tobacco Day Awards, an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) that recognizes outstanding efforts in tobacco control.

The annual awards honour individuals, organizations, and institutions from each of WHO’s six regions for significant contributions toward reducing tobacco use and protecting public health.

In a statement, HPA invited applications from individuals, civil society groups, and companies whose projects or advocacy work have helped curb the harms of smoking or align with this year’s World No Tobacco Day theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.”

Interested applicants can submit proposals through the WHO portal.

The application deadline is 16 January.

World No Tobacco Day is observed globally on 31 May each year to highlight the health risks of tobacco and promote effective tobacco-control policies.