world no tobacco day
World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on 31 May to raise awareness, highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and encourage governments to adopt effective policies to reduce smoking. Tobacco use kills more than 8 million people worldwide every year. While the common belief is that smoking affects the lungs largely because they are directly exposed to inhaled smoke, health experts caution that it also affects the entire cardiovascular system and degrades the environment.
World No Tobacco Day 2022: Theme
Since 1987, WHO (World Health Organization) sponsors 31 May as World No Tobacco Day. Since then, this day is marked every year with a relevant theme. This year’s theme is “Protect the Environment”.
According to the WHO, “the harmful impact of the tobacco industry on the environment is enormous and is putting unnecessary pressure on our planet’s already scarce resources and fragile ecosystem.”
World No Tobacco Day 2022: History, Significance and Facts
Every year the World Health Organization honors organizations and governments for their efforts and contributions to prevent tobacco use. India runs a National Tobacco Control Program to educate people about the health effects of its consumption. This year, WHO has selected Jharkhand for the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Award-2022.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, tobacco use is a major risk factor for the four main non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes. Apart from these, tobacco consumption can also affect your gums and can lead to many gum diseases.
In addition, WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that smokers have a 50 percent higher risk of developing serious illness and death from COVID-19.