The World Health Organisation’s World No Tobacco Day is every year on 31st May. It was created to bring awareness to more people about the dangers and health risks of smoking tobacco, and ultimately, to stop use of tobacco around the world
Over 1 billion people worldwide are tobacco smokers, majority of whom ( up to 80%) are in low-income countries where tobacco-related disease and death will have the hardest impact. Over 7 million people die because of smoking tobacco alone.
Tobacco use is one of the most lethal global health hazards. Smoking tobacco and passive or second-hand smoke, causes cancer of mouth, lungs liver, urinary and gastrointestinal tracts amongst others. It is the 2nd most important risk factors for heart disease, directly damages lung causing diseases like COPD, interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and Emphysema, contributes to chronic illnesses like Diabetes, vascular diseases, eye problems, weakening of bones and muscle.
The theme for this year “ world no tobacco day” is “we need food, not tobacco!” this was the 34th annual No Tobacco Day the WHO.
This year the global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow other sustainable and nutritious crops.
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) was initiated by the member states of the World Health Organization in 1988. The WHO had started a campaign to enlighten the public about the health-related problems caused with tobacco consumption and its impact on the community.