World No Tobacco Day(WNTD) is annually observed across the globe on 31st May to create awareness about the harmful effects of using tobacco and inform the public about the dangers of tobacco use and the business practices of tobacco companies.
- The observance of World No Tobacco Day is led by the World Health Organisation(WHO).
The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2022 is “Tobacco: Threat to our environment”.
Background:
i.In 1987, the member states of WHO created the observance of World No Tobacco Day to highlight the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
ii.The World Health Assembly(WHA) adopted the resolution WHA40.38 in 1987 and proclaimed the 7th April of every year as World No Smoking Day.
iii.In 1988, WHA passed a resolution WHA42.19 and called for the celebration of 31st May of every year as World No Tobacco Day.
Significance of 2022 WNTD:
i.The 2022 global campaign of the WNTD aims to create awareness about the impacts of the entire tobacco cycle (from cultivation, production and distribution to the toxic waste it generates) on the environment.
ii.This campaign also aims to expose the effort of the tobacco industries to greenwash their reputation and market their products as environmentally friendly.
Events:
i.To mark the observance of WNTD 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and WHO have renewed their collaboration to raise awareness of the tobacco industry’s contribution to the triple planetary crisis.
ii.This collaboration also contributes to the 2022 World Environment Day theme #OnlyOneEarth.
iii.As a part of the WNTD 2022, the UNEP and WHO are set to jointly organise a webinar on “Fighting tobacco product waste” on 2nd June 2022.
Key Points:
i.The complete tobacco cycle is a polluting and damaging process,
ii.Every year, around 3.5 million hectares of land across the globe are destroyed to cultivate tobacco.
iii.The production of tobacco results in the depletion of water, fossil fuel and metal sources.
iv.The tobacco industry relies heavily on resource-intensive modes of transport.
v.Every year, around 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are not disposed of properly. This generates around 1.69 billion pounds of toxic waste and releases numerous chemicals into the air, water and soil.
Note: In accordance with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), WHO recommends member countries to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, including advertising Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Winners World No Tobacco Day 2022 awards:
Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.
The 6-WHO Regions: Africa, America, East Mediterranean, Europe, South East Asia & Western Pacific.
This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.
Click here to know about the Winners of World No Tobacco Day 2022 awards
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC):
i.WHO FCTC was the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO.
On 21st May 2003, the convention was adopted by the World Health Assembly and it entered into force on 27th February 2005.
ii.WHO FCTC was developed to address the globalisation of the tobacco epidemic and reaffirm the rights of all people to the highest standard of health.
