New York - The World Health Organization on Thursday praised a decision to completely ban smoking and sale of cigarettes inside UN headquarters in New York as well as in other cities.

A smoking ban had been in place, but government delegates attending UN meetings at headquarters in New York, Geneva and Vienna, the three major UN buildings, usually ignore the ban, citing their rights as government officials.

The UN General Assembly in New York on Monday passed a new resolution calling for the implementation of a "complete ban on smoking at all UN indoors premises, including regional and country offices throughout the UN system, and the implementation of a complete ban on sales of tobacco products at all UN premises."

Despite the ban, the New York headquarters has allowed a Vienna Cafe inside its premises to serve people smoking tobacco.

WHO Director General Margaret Chan praised the 192-nation assembly's decision to protect the health of delegates, employees and visitors.

"By banning smoking and the sale of tobacco products on UN premises, the UN members set a tremendous example," Chan said.

WHO said tobacco kills an estimated 5.4 million people a year who die from lung cancer and other serious diseases. (dpa)