Every year, on 31 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. Of special note, WHO observes a link between their 2019 campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) established by the UN. The WHO literature states, “In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a one-third reduction in NCD [noncommunicable disease] premature mortality by 2030, tobacco control must be a priority for governments and communities worldwide. Currently, the world is not on track to meeting this target.”
The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2019 is on "tobacco and lung health." The campaign will increase awareness on:
- the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease,
- the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people.
The campaign also serves as a call to action, advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption and engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors in the fight for tobacco control.
For more information and posters on this important topic visit the WHO TFI website.