World No Tobacco Day being observed today

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Covid-19 pandemic has made millions of tobacco users want to quit smoking.

As per WHO report, nearly 60% of tobacco users around the world wanted to quit smoking but only 30% of the global population were able to quit.

This year theme for the Day is ‘Commit to quit’.

The day is celebrated around the world every year on May 31 and was created by the Member States of WHO in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

The day is significant and spotlights the efforts being made by governments, civil society and individuals across the globe to safeguard the health of people through preventive measures against the use of tobacco.

Back in 1987, the World Health Assembly formed a Resolution, calling for ‘a world no-smoking day’.

The resolution WHA42.19 was officially passed in 1988, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on May 31.

The yearly celebration aims to raise awareness to the global citizens about not only the dangers of using tobacco but also the business practices of tobacco companies.