World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Their goal is to spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and how we can make the world smoke-free. About 6 million people die from tobacco-related diseases each year. And that number is predicted to grow to more than 8 million by 2030. However, it does not mean a guarantee. The Sustainable Development Agenda aims to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases by one third. Tobacco-related diseases are on the list, so if we do hit the target, 2030 will be a year to celebrate. Not just for our health, but for our health as well. Your average smoker drops about $4,000 in tobacco bills annually. Imagine all the other cool vacations you could enjoy for that money (we have a few suggestions, just saying). So use World No Tobacco Day as a Launchpad for a brighter, smoke-less future!

History of World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on May 31st every year by World Health Organization. The campaign aims to spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco and its negative health effects, as well as the exploitation of the nicotine industry that is geared towards young people in particular. It also aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from tobacco consumption.

Member States of the World Health Organization established World No Tobacco Day in 1987 as a response to the global tobacco crisis and the illnesses and deaths caused by the pandemic. The World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA40.38 in 1987, choosing April 7th as World No Smoking Day. Next, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed in 1988, promulgating May 31st as an annual celebration of World No Tobacco Day.

The World Health Organization reports 8 million deaths annually due to tobacco consumption. Tobacco is the leading cause of respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis and other lung diseases. In 2008, WHO banned all forms of tobacco advertising or promotion? As the most populous country in the world, China leads the way in the tobacco industry. More than 30% of all cigarettes in the world were produced and consumed in China in 2014.

Why World No Tobacco Day is important

• It shows us how the tobacco industry contributes to poverty alleviation

About 80% of tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In other words, the poorest are the most negatively affected. Due to addiction, money that could be spent on education, food or health care all goes to cigarettes. Over the years, this has reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs. That's not a pretty picture for any income, and it's a surefire way to keep the less fortunate from becoming poorer.

• It warns us about the dangers of secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke causes more than 600,000 deaths each year. Sadly, about 28% of the victims were children. But when we consider that nearly 50% of children breathe smoky air in public places, we are fortunate that the percentage is not higher. Many cities and states already have bans on smoking in public, but it will take more work to get everyone on board. This is the one time when you can jump into the race without losing any fun points — we promise.

• It shows how harmful the tobacco industry is to the environment

Growing tobacco need a lot of pesticides and fertilizers. Some of these toxic elements can leach into the water supply, but the damage doesn't stop there. The production process generates more than 2 million tons of waste and consumes 4.3 million hectares of land. It is estimated that this contributes between 2% and 4% of the world's deforestation. If you like to breathe air (we love it), you should save as much forest as possible. A few less tobacco farms can help.

How to celebrate World No Tobacco Day

• Count the quantity of cigarettes you smoke

You may not be ready to quit, and who can blame you? However, you can start laying the groundwork for your exit by counting the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day. You will start to think more about your health and the money you put into cigarettes. When you're ready to take the plunge, there are plenty of self-help books out there that will guide you through the tough initial stages. You can do it!

• Educating young people

In fact, never start is the best way to quit smoking. So try and encourage the young people around you to avoid this habit altogether. Depending on where you live, there could be a march or some public demonstration. Maybe you can design an interesting poster to help promote them. Better yet, hold a contest to see who can make the best anti-smoking poster. Teens can get a little naughty, so you'll want to be clear about what's "appropriate" before they hit you with the final reveal.

• Lobby for sticker law

A label on cigarette boxes is a warning that people should quit smoking. Proposals support these laws so that the trend continues to gain momentum. In addition, simple encapsulation can also use some additional support. These laws place restrictions on the logos and colors of tobacco products, making it more difficult to sell them. You know that we can't judge a book by its cover? Yes, people definitely judge a product by its packaging. If the label looks dull, we're less likely to notice it, and that's not shallow at all. It's not like cigarettes have a good personality inside.