World No Tobacco Day

The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated "world no tobacco day" to raise awareness of tobacco's harmful effects. World no tobacco day was first marked on May 31, 1987, after passing the resolution in the committee to stop the tobacco epidemic and prevent deaths due to high tobacco consumption. This special day is honored every 31st of May to primarily educate individuals about the many risks associated with tobacco consumption and its harmful effects on society.

Theme And Objective 

The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2024 is "Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference." This campaign is vocal about the necessity of safeguarding the young population from the tobacco industry's promotional tactics. WHO determined to sensitize youth, policymakers and industries to end the targeting of the young generation with harmful tobacco products. Global leaders and politicians have made a lot of efforts to make the tobacco industry liable for the harm it causes to the next generation of society. A tobacco-free generation can be achieved by taking some stringent measures like enhancement in excise taxes on tobacco products, a comprehensive ban on tobacco promotion and sponsorship. 

Consequences Of Tobacco 

According to a WHO report, tobacco consumption causes 8 million deaths every year across the globe. According to data published in 2022, distressing statistics show that around 37 million tobacco consumers are aged between 13 to 15. The study focused on WHO European Region showed that 11.5% of boys and 10.1% of girls aged 13–15 years use any form of tobacco products. 

Tobacco consumption in any form causes serious detrimental effects on your body that affect vital organs like the lungs, heart, liver, kidney and brain. All these medical repercussions decline your life expectancy and compromise your quality of life.  

Health Risks: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable diseases and premature death. It is associated with various health problems, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, and various types of cancers (such as mouth, throat, bladder, and pancreas).

Addiction: Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Regular tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence, making it challenging for individuals to quit or reduce their tobacco consumption.

Respiratory Issues: Smoking damages the respiratory system, leading to shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Cardiovascular Problems: Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. Smoking damages blood vessels, increases blood pressure, reduces oxygen levels in the blood, and promotes the formation of blood clots.

Harm to Others: Secondhand smoke, which is the smoke exhaled by the smoker or emitted from the burning end of a cigarette, poses health risks to those exposed. Secondhand smoke has been linked to respiratory problems, heart disease, and lung cancer in nonsmokers, particularly children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Harm to the Unborn: Pregnant women who smoke or, when exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, and developmental issues in their babies.

Financial Burden: Tobacco use is expensive where smokers spend a significant amount of money on cigarettes or other tobacco products, which can strain their finances over time.

Social and Environmental Impact: Smoking is increasingly restricted in public places due to its harmful effects on public health. The smell and smoke from tobacco can be unpleasant and irritating to others, leading to social isolation and limitations on where individuals can smoke.

Tips To Quit Tobacco:

"One small step to quit tobacco, one giant leap towards a healthier you."

• Attend tobacco cessation counseling.
• Consider using nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum, lozenges, or inhalers to help manage cravings.
• Join a quit-smoking support group.
• Be physically active.
• De-stress yourself by indulging in relaxation activities such as yoga, body spa, or meditation.
• Make strong affirmations to quit tobacco products and think of their benefits.

Facts About Tobacco

• Over 80% of people in the UK don't smoke
• Smoking gives bad breath.
• Up to half of tobacco users risk dying from its harmful effects.
• In 2020, there were 1.30 billion tobacco users worldwide, which is expected to decrease to 1.27 billion by 2025.
• Tobacco kills more than eight million humans each year.

Stop Tobacco To Live Longer 

Put down the coffin nails; Give up the cancer sticks.

Now that we know that tobacco is such an unpleasant substance for human and environmental health, let's spread the word of "End Tobacco" in our communities to protect our young generation. Therefore, on World No Tobacco Day 2024, people who are addicted to tobacco smoking must pledge to get off Tobacco and develop some concern for their families. Moreover, it is the responsibility of non-smokers to take a step forward and educate smokers about the harm they are doing to themselves and the environment.