No Tobacco Day
Today marks World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and additional risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption
Why is No Tobacco Day important
This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly 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.
How to observe No Tobacco Day
We support all efforts that:
-
- Call upon governments and health systems to recognize the importance of detecting and diagnosing risk factors, and preventing and treating the HDPs and related NCDs;
- Encourage additional research funding into preeclampsia and related disorders;
- Prioritize patient and community education and treatment for these disorders;
- Prioritize education, training, and access to medical resources for healthcare providers;
- Address prevention through a better understanding of the causes and through access to appropriate, safe, and effective treatments;
- Encourage collaboration and partnerships between public and private sector organizations to support and advance these goals.
____________________________________________________
Tip:
As we mark this, let’s focus on a fact:
-
- WHO Statement(link is external), highlighting the dangerous link between tobacco use and respiratory diseases, evidence to date suggesting that smoking worsens outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The need to give up tobacco use has never been more evident. Also, as the epidemic situation unfolds, coordinated action is needed more than ever to provide healthcare professionals with the right tools to address tobacco dependence, helping smokers on their tobacco-free journey.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users wanting to quit. However, quitting tobacco is challenging, especially with the added social and economic stresses brought about by the pandemic. Worldwide, around 780 million people say they want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to the tools that can help them to overcome both physical and mental addictions to tobacco. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful attempt at quitting.
____________________________________________________
Resources
In order to celebrate today effectively, here is a list of resources you can use to make the day special – or to plan ahead
Reference Sites
- UN and other international NGO
- Non-Profits website for the observance
- Union for International Cancer Control
