What is World No Tobacco Day?

History and Background

World No Tobacco Day is observed every year on May 31st to fight this silent killer – Tobacco. People across the globe come together to spread awareness around the dangers and health risks associated with tobacco and urge the world to quit this puff.

The origin of World No Tobacco Day goes back to 1987 when the Member States of the World Health Organization passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be a “world no-smoking day.” In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day every year on 31 May. Since then, this day has become an annual reminder that tobacco kills over 8 million people every year, and this demon should be killed.

Objectives and Purpose

Tobacco companies don’t just sell their products, instead, they sell addiction. They capture generations of consumers with their manipulative tactics. World No Tobacco Day aims to educate people on the business practices tobacco companies use to draw consumers and also highlights the health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke. The day also encourages and provides resources to the people who want to quit tobacco and start a healthy life again.

The aim of this day is to reduce tobacco consumption by individuals and communities. This includes global implications, public awareness campaigns, and assistance to people who want to quit.

The Impact of Tobacco Use Globally

Health Risks Associated with Tobacco

According to the WHO, tobacco kills over 8 million people each year, including more than 1 million non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Beyond individual health concerns, tobacco also has significant environmental and economic consequences

Let’s talk about those health issues from smoking that are often overlooked. Beyond the well-publicized dangers of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, smoking contributes to a multitude of serious health problems. Oral cancer, a debilitating and disfiguring disease, is strongly linked to smoking and smokeless tobacco. Furthermore, both male and female fertility can be significantly impaired by smoking, impacting reproductive health and family planning. The dangers of secondhand smoke are also a critical focus, as non-smokers, including vulnerable populations like children, are exposed to harmful toxins that can lead to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and even an increased risk of cancer.

Economic and Social Consequences

Tobacco use remains one of our most pressing global health and economic challenges. The financial impact is equally devastating—global healthcare systems spend over $1.4 trillion annually on treating tobacco-related conditions and dealing with the productivity losses they cause. These costs are especially burdensome for low- and middle-income countries, where resources are already stretched thin. Tobacco disproportionately affects the poor, with families often sacrificing basic needs to sustain an addiction, and governments spending far more on health care and social services than they gain from tobacco tax revenue.

Socially, tobacco fractures families and communities. Children exposed to secondhand smoke suffer from a range of health issues, and those growing up in tobacco-using households are more likely to become users themselves. Women, often caregivers, bear the emotional and financial toll of treating loved ones with tobacco-induced illnesses. Meanwhile, the tobacco industry continues to thrive by exploiting vulnerable populations, aggressively marketing in regions with weak regulations, and interfering with public health policies. Addressing the global tobacco crisis requires a united international front through education, regulation, support for cessation, and holding the industry accountable. Only with coordinated, persistent effort can the economic and social consequences of tobacco be truly curtailed.

Tobacco Use in India – Current Scenario

Statistics and Trends

India’s cultural, economic, and social landscape is significantly influenced by tobacco. Home to over 1.4 billion individuals, India ranks as the world’s second-largest tobacco consumer, after China. Despite increased awareness campaigns, strict regulatory actions, and alarming health statistics, tobacco usage continues to thrive, especially in underdeveloped regions and among lower socioeconomic groups.

The statistics of tobacco consumption in India today are staggering. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2) reveals that approximately 28.6% of Indian adults, or about 270 million individuals, consume tobacco in some form. Smokeless tobacco products, such as gutkha and khaini, are more commonly used, accounting for around 21% of all tobacco users.

Government Policies and Regulations

The Indian government has implemented a number of national regulations, international treaty commitments, and state-level initiatives in recognition of the significant harm that tobacco causes to public health.

COTPA, 2003 (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act): This is the cornerstone of tobacco regulation in India. It prohibits:

• Smoking in public places
• Advertisement of tobacco products
• Sale of tobacco to minors
• Sale of tobacco near educational institutions

It also mandates large pictorial health warnings on packaging and promotes awareness through educational programs.

Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011: The regulation prohibits the inclusion of tobacco and nicotine in food items. Consequently, numerous states implemented this provision to prohibit gutkha and pan masala that contain tobacco.

National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP): Established in 2007-08, this governmental program seeks to enhance public understanding, provide resources for quitting smoking, and implement educational programs in schools. Operating at the district level, its purpose is to oversee adherence to India’s COTPA and other regulations against smoking.

How Can We Contribute to a Tobacco-Free World?

Quitting Tobacco: Tips and Support

Tobacco remains one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and deaths worldwide, making this initiative crucial for public health. Whether you’re consuming tobacco since your youth or have just started a while back, deciding to quit is a powerful step toward a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life.

Proven strategies like behavioral techniques, support systems, and medical aids such as nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications help quit smoking. Avoiding other triggers like alcohol, stress, and social gatherings can also help in your quitting journey. Lastly, support from family, friends, and digital tools can make the journey easier. Quitting tobacco requires commitment, but with the right approach and resources, it’s easily achievable.

Role of Awareness Campaigns and Education

Tobacco awareness campaigns provide a comprehensive understanding of the wide-ranging, lesser-known effects of tobacco consumption. This awareness empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and encourages them to prohibit tobacco use. The campaigns also offer assistance for those ready to say goodbye to tobacco. Many countries use this day to launch cessation programs.

Community and Government Initiatives

Community initiatives like local health organizations, Tobacco Cessation Clinics (TCCs), and NGOs are available globally that encourage and support individuals seeking to quit. The efforts of these communities, especially in rural areas, play a vital role in encouraging tobacco cessation.

On the government side, there are various large-scale initiatives that curb tobacco use. The National Tobacco Control Program, launched in 2007-08, focuses on public awareness and providing tobacco cessation services through district-level centres. Several other initiatives include National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS), m-Cessation Initiative, and Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The combined efforts of communities and governments to reduce tobacco consumption contribute to a tobacco-free world.

World No Tobacco Day 2025 Theme and Events

This Year’s Theme

The theme for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) for 2025 is “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products”. The campaign this year focuses on uncovering the methods used by tobacco and nicotine companies to attract consumers, especially young individuals, to their dangerous products. The initiative aims to increase public knowledge of these tactics and push for more robust regulations, such as prohibiting appealing flavors in tobacco and nicotine products, to safeguard public health.

Global and Local Events Planned

Various global and local events are planned for World Tobacco Day 2025. The events on a global scale include webinars and conferences by the WHO. Local events such as poster making, rallies, and health screenings are also organized by communities at various places.

Conclusion

Quitting tobacco is tough but not impossible. With the support of family, community, and government, one can easily live a tobacco-free life. Every individual who quits tobacco takes us closer to a healthier, stronger nation.

Whether you are a decision maker, a health worker, or someone looking to quit, your participation is crucial. This campaign requires everyone’s involvement. Therefore, on May 31st, let us collectively prioritize health, foster awareness, and embrace life.