Tips

World No Tobacco Day, May 31st: United in Action

World No Tobacco Day, an initiative by the WHO, envisions a 24-hour smoke-free period worldwide.

10 July, 2024

Smoking is a leading cause of lung-related diseases, and as such, the World Health Organization designated May 31 as World No Tobacco Day with the theme “Commit to Quit.” Let’s explore more about this day and the 2024 theme through the following article!

1When is World No Tobacco Day?

World No Tobacco Day is observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 31st annually to raise global awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and its impact on health.

World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31st every year

Each year, on May 31st, WHO organizes various activities and campaigns centered around a specific theme to educate people about the dangers of tobacco use.

In 2024, World No Tobacco Day falls on a Friday, May 31st, 2024.

2Origin and Significance of World No Tobacco Day

Origin of World No Tobacco Day

In 1987, the members of the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to designate May 31st of every year as World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) to draw global attention to the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco

Significance of World No Tobacco Day

WHO aims to protect current and future generations by reducing tobacco consumption and minimizing its economic and social impact through World No Tobacco Day campaigns and initiatives.

For further reference:

3Theme of World No Tobacco Day

Theme for World No Tobacco Day 2024

The theme for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2024 is “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.”

Theme for World No Tobacco Day 2024

Themes for Previous Years

World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2023, was marked by the World Health Organization with the theme “Tobacco: Poisoning our planet.”
In 2022, instead of its usual calls for commitments and pledges, WHO chose the theme “Tobacco: Threat to our environment” to raise awareness about the environmental impact of tobacco.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2021 was “Commit to Quit,” focusing on reducing tobacco consumption and the global burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
On May 31, 2020, over 100 delegates participated in a rally organized by the Health Department to mark World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week, with the theme “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.”
In 2019, the World Health Organization selected the theme “Tobacco and Lung Health” for World No Tobacco Day.
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2018 was “Tobacco and Heart Diseases.” WHO urged countries to take effective measures to reduce the risk of tobacco-related cardiovascular diseases and deaths.
The theme for the 2017 National No Tobacco Week and World No Tobacco Day was: “Tobacco – A Threat to Development.”
For World No Tobacco Day 2016, WHO chose the theme “Get Ready for Plain Packaging.”
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2015 was: “Stop Illegal Trade of Tobacco Products.”
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2014 was: “Raise Taxes on Tobacco.”
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2013 was: “Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship.”
In 2012, the theme focused on the interference of the tobacco industry in government policies: “The tobacco industry’s interference with tobacco control.”
On January 13, 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2011 (May 31, 2011) as “The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.”
World No Tobacco Day 2010 highlighted the dangers of tobacco use among women, with the theme “Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women.”

Themes for World No Tobacco Day over the years

4Activities for World No Tobacco Day

The following are some suggested activities to observe World No Tobacco Day:

Hang banners and display slogans to promote World No Tobacco Day and National No Tobacco Week.
Incorporate information about the harms of tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products in meetings, workshops, conferences, or cultural and sports events organized by your institution or unit.
Organize workshops and conferences to share experiences on creating smoke-free workplaces, monitoring the implementation of smoke-free environment regulations, and other tobacco control measures.
Arrange rallies and competitions to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products through appropriate communication channels.

Activities for World No Tobacco Day

5 Tips to Quit Smoking at Home

In the spirit of World No Tobacco Day, here are eight quick, simple, and medication-free tips to help smokers quit:

Drink plenty of water: Drinking water, herbal tea, or low-caffeine beverages helps flush nicotine out of your bloodstream, reducing your urge to smoke.
Chew : You can curb your cigarette cravings by regularly chewing sugar-free gum. Chewing gum tricks your brain and helps you gradually quit smoking.
Brush your teeth frequently: Brushing your teeth when you feel the urge to smoke freshens your mouth and reduces the desire to smoke, especially if you use a minty toothpaste.
Use : Cravings for cigarettes are often triggered by residual smoke in the mouth. Using mouthwash helps eliminate nicotine from your oral cavity and reduces the habit of smoking.

Eight quick and simple ways to quit smoking without medication

Exercise daily: Daily physical activity improves your overall health, keeps you alert, and reduces the desire to smoke.
Change your diet: Including , , in your daily meals helps your body eliminate nicotine more easily and reduces the smell of smoke on your breath. Also, add foods rich in to remove stains caused by smoking. After meals, chew sugar-free gum or eat to gradually break the habit of smoking after eating.
Consume milk and dairy products: Milk helps flush nicotine out of your bloodstream, and its taste can make cigarettes seem bitter and unpleasant, discouraging smoking.
Smell a cinnamon stick: Most people turn to cigarettes to relieve stress. Instead, try smelling a cinnamon stick, which contains compounds that enhance brain activity and reduce nervous tension, promoting a sense of relaxation and reducing the urge to smoke.

The information above highlights World No Tobacco Day on May 31st and the significance of this campaign. We hope that through this article, you have learned about this special day and gained valuable and interesting insights.

Frequently asked questions

World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31st, with the aim of highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption worldwide.

The theme for 2023 is ‘United in Action’. It emphasizes the need for global collaboration and collective action to fight the tobacco epidemic and encourage people to quit tobacco use.

World No Tobacco Day raises awareness about the dangers of tobacco, including its impact on public health, the environment, and social and economic development. It also promotes education and support for tobacco cessation, helping people improve their health and well-being.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. It increases the risk of various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, and other serious illnesses. Tobacco use can also lead to addiction, affecting people’s quality of life and placing a burden on healthcare systems.

Individuals can take steps such as quitting tobacco use, encouraging loved ones to quit, and supporting tobacco control policies. Communities can organize events, campaigns, and educational programs to raise awareness and provide resources for tobacco cessation. Governments can implement policies such as increasing taxes on tobacco products, enforcing smoke-free public spaces, and regulating tobacco advertising to reduce tobacco consumption.

Yes, various resources are available to support individuals who want to quit tobacco. These include counseling services, support groups, nicotine replacement therapies, and other evidence-based treatments. Many countries also have quitlines, which provide free and confidential telephone-based support and advice.