Everything About World Anti Tobacco Day: 31st May

World No Tobacco Day or  Anti Tobacco Day is annually celebrated on 31 May worldwide. This annual event is organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make people aware and educate them about the harmful effects of tobacco on health and causes several diseases like cancer, tooth decay, staining of teeth, cardiovascular disease, etc. 

History

The Member States of the world health organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw people’s attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death. The World Health Assembly on 15 May 1987 passed a resolution calling for 7 April 1988 “a World No-Smoking Day”. 

This day was chosen because it was the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organization. Further in 1988, 31th may another resolution was passed for celebrating World No Tobacco day every year. 

World No Tobacco Day focuses on the multiple things that exposure to tobacco affects the health of people’s lungs worldwide. This include: 

Lung cancer:

Tobacco is the main cause of lung cancer, responsible for over 2/3 of lung cancer deaths globally. Lung cancer includes two main types which are small and non-small cell lung cancer. A smoker can develop lung cancers, but nonsmokers can also develop lung cancer. 

Tuberculosis:

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, though it can affect any organ in the body. By the spread of bacteria through droplets in the air, it can develop. It can be fatal, but in many cases, it is treatable. Active tuberculosis, compounded by the damaging lung health effects of smoking, substantially raises the risk of disability and death from respiratory failure.

Chronic respiratory diseases:

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are diseases of the airways and other structures of the lung. Some of the most common diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, occupational lung diseases, asthma, and pulmonary hypertension. In addition to smoke, other risk factors include dust, air pollution, occupational chemicals, and frequent lower respiratory infections in children.

Skin and hair:

Smoking can damage your skin also, mainly the substance called collagen which keeps the skin elastic. Smokers get deeper wrinkles all over their faces because nicotine constricts the tiny capillaries that nourish the skin. Not only that, but smokers are also prone to premature thinning and graying of the hair.

Digestive system:

Smoking has harmful effects on all parts of the digestive system, contributing to the development of many diseases such as Heartburn, Peptic ulcers, Crohn’s disease, Gallstones, Stomach cancer, and many more. 

Most smokers want to quit, who are aware of the dangers of this disaster. Medication and Counselling can more than double a tobacco user’s chance of successful quitting. This epidemic is one of the most public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than eight million people a year around the world. Smoking is banned in public places and breaking these rules results in heavy fines. Production of tobacco should be banned everywhere, how it will sell when it will not produce.  Smokers should understand that it may have a serious effect on financial circumstances and health issues.