World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day is an annual event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and held on May 31. This global health awareness day is dedicated to highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

History[edit | edit source]

World No Tobacco Day was first introduced by the WHO's Member States in 1987 to draw attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. The day was officially established by the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of WHO, in Resolution WHA40.38 on April 7, 1988.

Themes[edit | edit source]

Each year, World No Tobacco Day focuses on a specific theme. Past themes have included "Tobacco and lung health" (2019), "Tobacco and heart disease" (2018), and "Tobacco – a threat to development" (2017). The theme for 2021 is "Commit to Quit."

Activities[edit | edit source]

Activities on World No Tobacco Day include public marches and demonstrations, long-distance races, concerts, public debates, art exhibitions, and other cultural and educational events. Many of these activities are designed to encourage people to quit smoking or to never start.

Impact[edit | edit source]

World No Tobacco Day has been successful in raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and the policies that can effectively reduce consumption. It has also been a catalyst for the implementation of strong tobacco control measures, such as smoke-free laws, graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging, and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.