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World No Tobacco Day 2023: Theme, History, Importance & Role of Media

According to the World Health Organization, the theme of 'World No Tobacco Day 2023' is "We Need Food, Not Tobacco." This annual event takes place on May 31

World No Tobacco Day 2023

World No Tobacco Day 2023

Sonika Nitin Nimje New Delhi

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Every year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day is marked to raise public awareness of the health risks and dangers posed by tobacco use. The day is celebrated to feature the unsafe impacts of tobacco usage and promote appropriate guidelines to eliminate worldwide tobacco use.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), "This yearly celebration advises the general population on the risks regarding the usage of tobacco, the strategic approaches of tobacco organizations, how WHO is battling the tobacco pandemic, and how individuals all over the planet do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to safeguard people in the future."
 

World No Tobacco Day 2023: Theme

On the day of World No Tobacco Day, 2023's theme is "We Need Food, Not Tobacco," according to the World Health Organization.

"The global campaign 2023 aims to educate tobacco farmers about alternative crop production, and marketing options and encourage them to grow healthy, sustainable crops. It will also expect to uncover the tobacco business' efforts to slow down attempts to substitute tobacco development with sustainable crops, subsequently adding to the worldwide food crisis", says WHO.

World No Tobacco Day 2023: History

World No Tobacco Day was established in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the widespread use of tobacco products and their negative effects on public health. The day's objectives are to raise public awareness of the dangers of smoking, advance efforts to control tobacco use and assist smokers in quitting.

World No Tobacco Day 2023: Importance

Tobacco use is still a serious global health problem that kills millions of people every year and has a big financial and social impact on individuals, families, and societies.

The purpose of World No Tobacco Day is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of smoking, including its connection to a number of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems. It emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts to reduce tobacco use and promote a tobacco-free world.

World No Tobacco Day 2023: Role of Media

  • The US Surgeon General has recognized that the depiction of smoking in films increases the probability of youth taking part in smoking. In spite of the fact that the number of films with a rating of PG-13 or lower that feature smoking has decreased over the course of the past 15 years, the films that do feature smoking tend to do so more frequently.
  • One more strategy utilized by the tobacco business to attract youth is the utilization of flavours in tobacco items, including e-cigarettes.
  • Education and awareness campaigns that feature the manipulative advertising strategies utilized by the tobacco business are significant in enabling young people to settle on informed choices. 
  • To prevent youngsters from using tobacco products, such as menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes, policies that restrict their availability and accessibility are essential.

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First Published: May 30 2023 | 12:14 PM IST

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