world no tobacco day – may 31, 2017
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1987 to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and to encourage governments to adopt control measures to reduce the use of tobacco products.
WHO’s theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Tobacco – a threat to development.” WHO propose measures that governments and the public should take to promote health and development by confronting the global tobacco crisis.
Worldwide, there are about 1.3 billion tobacco users, and every year about 6 million people around the world die from tobacco use.
The World Health Organization is getting the word out that tobacco threatens the development of nations worldwide and “is calling on governments to implement strong tobacco control measures. These include banning marketing and advertising of tobacco, promoting plain packaging of tobacco products, raising excise taxes and making indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free.”
According to the WHO Press Release on World No Tobacco Day, “Action to stamp out tobacco use can help countries prevent millions of people falling ill and dying from tobacco-related disease, combat poverty and, according to a first-ever WHO report, reduce large-scale environmental degradation.”
Environmental Impact of Tobacco (WHO Report):
Tobacco waste contains over 7000 toxic chemicals that poison the environment, including human carcinogens.
Tobacco smoke emissions contribute thousands of tons of human carcinogens, toxicants, and greenhouse gases to the environment. And tobacco waste is the largest type of litter by count globally.
Up to 10 billion of the 15 billion cigarettes sold daily are disposed in the environment.
Cigarette butts account for 30–40% of all items collected in coastal and urban clean-ups.
Tobacco threatens women, children, and livelihoods (WHO Report):
Poverty: Around 860 million adult smokers live in low- and middle-income countries. Many studies have shown that in the poorest households, spending on tobacco products often represents more than 10% of total household expenditure – meaning less money for food, education and healthcare.
Children and education: Tobacco farming stops children attending school. 10%–14% of children from tobacco-growing families miss class because of working in tobacco fields.
Women: 60%–70% of tobacco farm workers are women, putting them in close contact with often hazardous chemicals.
Health: Tobacco contributes to 16% of all non-communicable diseases (NCDs) deaths.
Individuals can also help the global tobacco crisis. Commit to never using tobacco products or if you already use these products – quit the habit. Quitting tobacco protects yourself from diseases such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and stroke just to name a few. It also helps those around you from the effects of second-hand smoke.
The following websites contain useful information for smokers who want to quit and are looking for help:
The “I’m Ready to Quit” section of the CDC Tips From Former Smokers™ website contains practical, evidence-based cessation information and resources for smokers who are interested in quitting.
Smokefree.gov is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) website that provides practical, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help adults who are trying to quit smoking.
Smokefree Women is a NCI website that provides practical, evidence-based information on quitting that is tailored to the specific needs of women.
Smokefree Teen is a NCI website devoted to helping teens quit smoking.
espanol.smokefree.gov is a NCI Spanish-language website with evidence-based approaches to quitting.
Quit Tobacco is a Department of Defense-sponsored cessation website for military personnel and their families.
BeTobaccoFree.gov is a comprehensive website maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides access to tobacco-related information from across HHS agencies.
Global Tobacco Control Resources
GTSS Data provides data on youth and adult smoking rates from around the world.
WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative website focuses international attention, resources, and action on the global tobacco epidemic.
