But the pact, with its call for a crackdown on advertising, was eventually agreed in 2003.

With less than two weeks until kick-off, the World Health Professions Alliance, which represents more than 20 million health care workers, said it was critical that the tournament separate its image from the tobacco industry.

Noting that billions of people are expected to watch the televised matches around the world, it said a clear smoke-free message at the World Cup could help save millions of lives.

"We believe that only an outright smoking ban can send out a clear signal against tobacco use," the group said in a letter to the FIFA organizing committee.

The WHO predicts the number of people dying each year from cancer, cardiovascular disease and other conditions linked to smoking could exceed 10 million by 2020, with 70 per cent of victims in developing countries.