World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on 31st May every year. It was launched by World Health Organisation (WHO) to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use. The first World No Smoking Day was celebrated on 7th April 1988 marking the 40th anniversary of WHO. From next year the date was changed to 31st May. Government organisations, NGOs and stakeholders from diverse sectors come for this campaign. WHO along with other health organisations appeal and advocate for policy changes to reduce and control tobacco consumption in the world.
‘Tobacco- Threat To Our Environment’
Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, our focus has been forced to shift towards our long-suffering environment at the hands of man. Hence, the 2022 campaign on this World No Tobacco Day is ‘Tobacco- Threat To Our Environment’ which is aimed at raising awareness on the environmental impact of tobacco. From the cultivation of tobacco to its production, distribution and waste, it will give tobacco users one extra reason to quit. Also, ‘the tobacco industry’s claim of tobacco and its cultivation being environmentally friendly needs to be exposed too,’ a WHO spokesperson said.
Tobacco Means Scarcity of Resources
The tobacco industry is depleting our natural resources. It is not only contributing to deforestation but also climate change, damaging ecosystems and wasting resources. A WHO spokesperson pointed out that ‘This is especially dangerous to the developing countries since it’s there that tobacco production happens.’ Hence the environmental burden falls on the countries least capable of handling it — something that has to be taken up on an urgent basis.
Cash Crop?
In developing coutries tobacco is considered a cash crop that can generate economic growth. However, this short term benefit is offset by the long term consequences people have to bear such as illness and poverty among farm workers, farmers’ debt and food insecurity and environmental damage in lower and middle income countries.
‘Greenwash’
The tobacco industry is trying to ‘greenwash’ itself by funding enviornment-friendly projects. However, environmental and public health calls for an immediate check on them and to make the tobacco producers responsible for the large scale damages.
‘Commit To Quit’
According to WHO, globally, nearly 60% of tobacco users want to quit smoking, but only 30% of the world population have access to quality services that can help to curb tobacco consumption. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led millions of tobacco users to quit. On this day, WHO also launched a campaign ‘Commit to Quit’. Its salient features were spreading awareness about the covert tactics of tobacco industry and providing support to people who want to quit, by promotion and upgradation of tobacco cessation policies and services.
Say ‘No’ To Tobacco
Tobacco is the leading cause of respiratory disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and other lung diseases. Roughly 6 million people die from tobacco-related ailments every year. And that number is projected to rise to over 8 million by 2030. So let’s use World No Tobacco Day as a launching pad to a brighter and less smokey future. Imagine all of the cool holidays you could enjoy with that money!