From Theme To History, All You Need To Know About World No-Tobacco Day 2024

This World No-Tobacco day the theme is to protect young children from the risks of tobacco industry!

World No-Tobacco Day is celebrated on May 31 every year, to enlighten the general public about the health risks that come with tobacco use. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 8 million lives are lost annually because of tobacco consumption, which makes it a primary cause of avoidable deaths. It is obtained from dried leaves of the Nicotiana plant containing stimulant nicotine. These leaves are manufactured for smoking, chewing, or in products like cigars and smokeless tobacco. Tobacco is highly addictive regardless of its form and exposes users to great health hazards.

This year’s theme for World No-Tobacco Day 2024 is ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference’. pic.twitter.com/D4UbDcRjH7

— National Health Mission Tinsukia (@HealthTinsukia) May 31, 2024

Theme for WNTD 2024

The theme for World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2024 is Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference.” This theme emphasizes the necessity to save children and adolescents from manipulation by the tobacco industry targeting them as their lifelong customers.

Significance of WNTD 2024

Creating Awareness

The major goal of WNTD is to educate people concerning how harmful smoking can be to their bodies. Some of these dangers encompass heart failure, lung disease, digestive disorders, oral cancer, cataracts as well as macular degeneration and respiratory problems.

Protection from Second-hand Smoke

Non-smokers are still at risk because of second-hand smoke. As per our estimates given by WHO non-smokers’ death number has reached above eight hundred thousand resulting from secondhand smoke per year.

Tackling the Environmental Impact Of The Tobacco Industry

Tobacco farming uses vast quantities of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that contaminate water sources. Moreover, cigarette manufacturing accounts for more than two million tons of solid waste produced yearly while cigarette butts comprise up to thirty-forty per cent of litter picked during marine plus urban clean-ups.

History of WNTD 2024

Initially WHO member states designated April 7th as World No Smoking Day in 1987.A resolution passed by the World Health Assembly of WHO in 1988 to observe May 31st as World No-Tobacco Day was intended to raise awareness about all tobacco-related issues. Consequently, since then WNTD has been commemorated annually acting as a global platform where the health effects of tobacco on users and exploitation by the nicotine industry especially among youth are championed. The day also seeks to encourage individuals in their endeavour to quit smoking.

 

World No-Tobacco Day 2024 seeks collective action to save the future generations from the dangers of tobacco use. We can contribute towards a healthier world that is free from smoking through creating awareness for change.

 

First Published: May 31, 2024 1:38 PM