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World No Tobacco Day 2020: History, theme, 5 reasons to quit smoking

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World No Tobacco Day 2020: Tobacco is a leading preventable cause of death, killing nearly six million people worldwide each year. This global tobacco epidemic kills more people than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria combined. Tobacco smoke contains more than fifty chemicals that cause cancer. Tobacco also contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive psychoactive drug. When tobacco is smoked, nicotine causes physical and psychological dependency.

To highlight the consequences of consuming tobacco, the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the World Anti-Tobacco Day. Therefore, every year 31 May is celebrated as World Anti-Tobacco Day.

History of World Anti-Tobacco Day:

It all started when WHO passed a resolution on 15 May 1987 to celebrate the World No Smoking Day on 7 April 1988. This date also marked the 40th anniversary of WHO. There had been increasing demand for the ban of tobacco in many nations across the globe. The aim was to draw people’s attention to the adverse effects of tobacco. People all around the world were urged to refrain from using tobacco in any form for 24 hours. This was supposed to encourage and support individuals to quit or at least reduce tobacco usage in the longer run. In 1988, another resolution was passed to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31 annually.

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Theme of World Anti-Tobacco Day 2020:

This year, the theme for World Anti-Tobacco Day 2020 is “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use”. Youths are aggressively getting addicted to tobacco these days. The vast majority of tobacco users began when they were young. Each day in the U.S., more than 2,000 people younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and 2,100 youth and young adults become regular smokers. Young people face enormous pressures to smoke. Smoking in movies, music videos, and advertising portrays tobacco use as a social norm, encouraging kids to smoke. Plus, when their parents or peers use tobacco, they’re more likely to start, too.

The use of tobacco products in India has culminated in a major public health challenge with 275 million adults consuming different tobacco products. Although the government of India has taken various initiatives for tobacco control from time to time, effective implementation of tobacco control policies remains largely a challenge in the country.

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5 Reasons you should quit smoking:

Reduced Risk of Heart Attack & Stroke

Smokers are twice as likely to die from heart attacks and are more likely to have strokes than nonsmokers. However, just one year after quitting smoking, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s. And five to 15 years after quitting, the risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker. 

Whiter Teeth, Prettier Smile  

The tar in cigarettes stains teeth a yellow or brownish color. Quitting smoking stops the discoloration from progressing.

Improved Stamina when Exercising

Smoking introduces carbon monoxide into a person’s blood, which reduces the ability to transport oxygen. This means less oxygen is carried to the body’s cells, heart and lungs. A decrease in oxygen makes it much more difficult to participate in sports or even walk up a flight of stairs.

Stronger Bones

Studies have shown a direct relationship between tobacco use and decreased bone density. And most studies on the effects of smoking suggest that smoking increases the risk of having a fracture.

Healthier Family

Secondhand smoke causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. Specifically, it can cause lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory tract infections in infants and children, and it can aggravate asthma symptoms.

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