Tobacco Free Initiative has organized for the World No Tobacco Day 2009 the closing ceremony of its activities at the Lebanese Order of Physicians, Beirut on the 23rd of May 2009 between 10:00 and 1:00.

The general theme of the day was "صوتك أقوى بلا تدخين ". The event was patronized by the Ministry of Education, represented by MrFadi Yarak (General Director), and MrsNina Lahham. It enjoyed the support of the Ministry of Health, represented by Dr Georges Saadé and the WHO, with the cooperation of the Lebanese Order of Physicians represented by Pr. Georges Aftimos and the Director of Human Rights Council at the Lawyers’ Order of Beirut Mrs Elizabeth Zakharia Sioufi.

The event, animated by Carlos Azar (Journalist OTV) with the participation of Maxim Chaaya, was a great success not only because it gathered many public figures from the political, social and economical fields but also because it gave a chance to a very enthusiastic group of some 200 young people coming from different schools to express themselves and back up their creative projects executed by the clubs.
The Students arrived at the Lebanese Order of Physicians at 8 O'clock.
Before the members of the clubs exposed their creative projects, Rania Baroud invited the representative from each school to present to Mr Fady Yarak a petition, which was signed by all members of clubs asking to prohibit smoking in schools during the official exams.

The Jury members are:

• Dr Georges Saade (Ministry of Health)
• Nina Lahham (Ministry of Education)
• Dr Elie Flouty (Director of Communication, Faculty at Antonine's University)
• Attorney Elizabeth Zakharia (Director of Human Rights Council at the Lawyers’ Order of Beirut)
• Attorney Alice Kayrouz Sleiman (TFI Member)
• Dr Beatrice Chami( TFI Member)
• Elsa Yazeck Charabaty ( TFI Member)

While Jury Members were choosing the best Projects, Mr. Maxim Chaaya exposed his documentary film to the Teenagers and held a questions& answers session.

13 Schools were present:

• Broummana High School
• Charité Clemenceau
• Officielle El Ershad, pour les filles   
• Officielle Omar El Zouanni 
• International College Ain Aar   
• Imam El Hassan El Roueiss
• Lycée Français Nahr Ibrahim  
• Notre Dame Des Anges
• Saint Charbel Harissa 
• Saint Cœurs Sioufi
• Saint Enfant Jésus Besancon
• Saint Georges Zalka  
• Sainte Famille Zalka

Media Presence & Coverage:

The event was covered By Future TV.

We were invited to many Interviews on TV & Radio:

• OTV: Tuesday 26 may at 9h20
• MTV: Saturday 30 may at 12h30
• Future TV: Monday 1st June at 10h 30
• Radio Voice of Lebanon: two interviews: Saturday 30 may at 4 o'clock & at 5h30

  Articles

• Diyar: 28th may 2009
• Mostakbal: 6th Jun 2009