May 31 was observed globally as World No Tobacco Day to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and to encourage people to quit smoking. It is an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the dangers of tobacco use and to promote a tobacco-free world. This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Grow Food, Not Tobacco.” Tobacco consumption is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. It is estimated that tobacco use kills more than 8 million people every year, with around 1.2 million of these deaths occurring among non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Tobacco use is also responsible for a significant economic burden, including healthcare costs and lost productivity. Smoking is a habit that not only affects the individual but also the people around them. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as direct smoking and can cause a range of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, and ear infections. Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do to improve their health and reduce their risk of developing smoking-related illnesses. The benefits of quitting smoking are numerous and immediate. Within hours of quitting, the body starts to heal, and within a few weeks, the risk of heart attack and stroke decreases significantly. After several years of being smoke-free, the risk of developing lung cancer and other smoking-related illnesses decreases dramatically. The need of the hour is to encourage people to quit smoking by providing them with the information and resources they need to quit successfully. In that regard our educational institutions must highlight the benefits of quitting smoking, such as improved health, increased life expectancy, and reduced healthcare costs. Governments also have a crucial role to play in reducing tobacco consumption. They can do this by implementing policies that discourage smoking, such as increasing tobacco taxes, banning smoking in public places, and implementing advertising restrictions. These policies have been shown to be effective in reducing smoking rates and improving public health. However, despite the known risks and the efforts of public health officials, tobacco use remains a significant problem globally. The tobacco industry continues to aggressively market its products, especially in low- and middle-income countries where smoking rates are high. The industry also employs tactics to undermine public health efforts, such as funding research that downplays the harmful effects of tobacco use. World No Tobacco Day is a call to action for individuals, governments, and organizations to work together to reduce tobacco production, consumption and improve public health. By committing to quit smoking and supporting efforts to reduce tobacco use, we can create a healthier, tobacco-free world.
