The Azores Oncology Centre - “Prof. Dr. Jose Conde" (COA) is developing a programme to prevent and combat smoking in the archipelago, designated as "Living Better Without Tobacco."

This campaign consists of a concerted strategy aimed at the prevention of tobacco consumption and encouragement of smoking cessation.

The project aims to develop a campaign directed at the entire population in order to inform, warn and promote an anti-smoking environment as well as to stimulate a gradual change of social and individual awareness on the dangers of smoking.

The first phase of this project began in January with the release of three messages on billboards and indoor posters.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide, being responsible for the death of one person every six seconds. It kills one in 10 adults throughout life.

The number of annual deaths stands at six million, of which 5.4 million are the result of direct consumption and about 600,000 are of non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

According to data published under the Regional Health Survey of the Azores 2014, about 28% of the Azorean population aged 20 to 74 smoked on a daily basis in 2014.
With this anti-smoking campaign, the Regional Oncology Centre aims to strive for a social norm against tobacco consumption.

Health literacy exerts a protective effect on tobacco consumption and, along with legislative measures, creates the opportunity to improve tobacco control.
The Tobacco Prevention and Combat Programme in the Azores will remain in force for the next few years with different initiatives.