World No Tobacco Day

• 01 Jun 2020

Why in News

Every year, on 31^st May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).

• The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.

Key Points

• Focus of WNTD
  
  • The theme for the World No Tobacco Day 2020 is #TobaccoExposed.
  • Its focus is on protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.
  • This is especially important right now as studies show that smokers have a higher risk for a severe case of coronavirus.
• A Leading Cause of Cancer:
  
  • Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer.
  • Tobacco use causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, larynx (voice box), mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney etc.
• Decline in Tobacco Consumption:
  
  • According to a WHO report, there is a decline in the overall global tobacco use and the number of people consuming it.
  • The report predicts that by 2020, there will be 10 million fewer tobacco users compared to 2018 and another 27 million less by 2025, amounting to 1.299 billion.
    
    • In India, the prevalence of tobacco use (male and female combined) in 2000 was 44% and it is expected to reduce almost by half to 22.3% by 2025.
    • Globally, the prevalence was 33.3% in 2000, and is projected to reach 20.9% in 2025.
• Tobacco Control Measures
  
  • WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)
    
    • FCTC is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO.
    • It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 27 February 2005.
    • The FCTC’s measures to combat tobacco use include:
      
      • Price and tax measures.
      • Large, graphic warnings on tobacco packages.
      • 100% smoke-free public spaces.
      • A ban on tobacco marketing.
      • Support for smokers who want to quit.
      • Prevention of tobacco industry interference.
  • mCessation Programme:
    
    • It is an initiative using mobile technology for tobacco cessation.
    • India launched mCessation using text messages in 2016 as part of the government’s Digital India initiative.
      
      • It uses two-way messaging between the individual seeking to quit tobacco use and programme specialists providing them dynamic support.

Source: WHO