World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) is annually observed across the globe on 31st May to draw attention to the global tobacco epidemic, and the preventable death and disease caused by tobacco.
- WNTD aims to inform the general public on the dangers of using tobacco, and the business practices of tobacco companies.
- The observance of WNTD is led by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Theme:
The theme of WNTD 2024 is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”.
- The 2024 theme emphasises ending the targeting of youth with harmful tobacco products.
- The 2024 observance aims to raise awareness about the harmful influences of the tobacco industry on youth.
Background:
i.The WHO established World No Tobacco Day in 1987 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 of 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.
Stop the Lies Campaign:
i.In November 2023, WHO officially launched the “Stop the Lies” campaign as a vital initiative to protect young people from the tobacco industry.
ii.The campaign aims to Protect youth from deadly tobacco products; and to end tobacco industry interference in health policy.
Points to note:
i.Around 37 million young people aged 13–15 years use some form of tobacco worldwide.
ii.Around 12.5% of adolescents in the European Region used e-cigarettes in 2022, compared to 2% of adults.
iii.With 11 million adolescents and 411 million adults using tobacco, the WHO South-East Asia has the highest number of adolescent and adult users globally.
New Report of WHO and STOP:
i.Ahead of WNTD, the WHO and Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP), a global tobacco watchdog, unveiled a report titled, Hooking the Next Generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers.
ii.The report highlights how the tobacco and nicotine industry targets youth through product design, marketing, and policy influence.
2024 World No Tobacco Day Awards:
i.WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the 2024 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Awards to honours exceptional individuals and organizations across its six regions for their outstanding contributions to tobacco control.
ii.Odisha State Tobacco Control Cell, Republic of India is among the winners under the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) for its exceptional contributions to tobacco control.
Click here for the Complete list of recipients of the 2024 WNTD Awards
2024 Events in India:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW), Government of India, organized an event today to observe World No Tobacco Day 2024.
i.Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra unveiled the key focus areas for tobacco control initiatives in 2024, which include strict enforcement of India’s National Tobacco Control Law – Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003).
ii.He also unveiled intensified public awareness campaigns, increasing tobacco-free educational institutions, and establishing tobacco-free villages nationwide.
iii.Indian badminton player PV Sindhu was designated as the brand ambassador for Tobacco Control to motivate young children and youth to steer clear of tobacco in all forms.
iv.During the event, the Operational Guidelines for Establishing Tobacco Cessation Centres in Medical Institutions was also unveiled.
