NOTES

The World Health Organization today is launching a low-budget anti-smoking campaign in 20 countries that uses ads developed for the California Department of Health Services. WHO, an agency of the United Nations, has allocated $1.6 million to the effort and is counting on governments in other countries to pony up additional funds for anti-smoking ads. Among the countries that have agreed to join the campaign are Poland, Ukraine, Thailand, South Africa and India, said WHO. The campaign uses the billboard parody of the Marlboro man, which juxtaposes a rugged-looking cowboy with the text message: “Bob, I’ve got cancer.” The ads were created by Los Angeles-based Asher & Partners.