[A deadly pandemic is still spreading. The harmful effects of smoking are a serious warning for all]

The author draw attention to the serious character of the pandemic caused by smoking which on a worldwide scale is responsible for the premature death of 4.2 million people every year. In the Czech Republic every year 22,000 people die from the sequelae of smoking. The authors refer to work which contributed to the evidence of the harmful impact of smoking on health. The World Health Organization contributes markedly to efforts to control smoking. The authors present brief information on the conference in Warsaw held in February 2002, they mention briefly data on smoking in Europe and the Czech Republic. They draw attention to the new strategy of the tobacco industry and appeal for joint and coordinated activities the objective of which would be to prevent health problems caused by smoking.