No Tobacco Day - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31st every year to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
- 2. Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, with over 8 million people dying each year from tobacco-related illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases.
- 3. Tobacco contains over 7,000 chemicals, including nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, many of which are known to be carcinogenic and toxic to the body.
- 4. Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoking, can also have harmful effects on non-smokers, increasing their risk of developing respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancer.
- 5. Smoking is a major risk factor for a variety of health conditions, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease.
- 6. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing smoking-related illnesses, improving lung function, and increasing life expectancy.
- 7. There are many resources available to help individuals quit smoking, including nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, support groups, and prescription medications.
- 8. Tobacco control measures, such as increasing taxes on tobacco products, implementing smoke-free laws, and providing access to smoking cessation services, have been proven to be effective in reducing tobacco use and its associated health risks.
- 9. The tobacco industry has a long history of marketing its products to vulnerable populations, including youth, low-income communities, and people in developing countries, contributing to the global burden of tobacco-related diseases.
- 10. World No Tobacco Day serves as a reminder of the importance of taking action to reduce tobacco use and its devastating impact on public health, and encourages individuals, communities, and policymakers to work together to create a tobacco-free world.