World No Tobacco Day: A global call to end Tobacco use

Time of India

31-05-2025

Dr (Prof) Sadhana Kala is a USA-trained robotic & laparoscopic surgeon, Uppsala University, Sweden, trained fertility specialist, and 'National Icon Endoscopic Surgeon' of India. University topper and winner of several gold and silver medals and Certificates of Honor and the unique 'Distinction' in medicine in medical college, she is the youngest-ever Professor in any medical college anywhere, and the only-ever gynec Hon Consultant to the Army, Navy and Air Force. FORMER: President Family Welfare Foundation of India (now closed) one of the few UN -accredited NGO since 1997; Member of Central Consumer Protection Council, Government of India, the apex national advisory body on consumer affairs; Advisor, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; Member, Advisory Committee, MTNL (Delhi). Awardee of C L Jhaveri and P N Behl Awards of Indian Medical Association for professional excellence. Chief emeritus and currently Sr Consultant gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, Moolchan Medcity and Apollo Cradle Hospitals, New Delhi. She is a published-writer on varied topics. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadhana.kala.5/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrSadhanaKala She also writes at www.drsadhanakala.com LESS ... MORE
Every year on May 31, the world comes together to observe World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) — a campaign spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about the devastating health and environmental impacts of tobacco use. It serves as a stark reminder of the damage caused by one of the world's leading preventable causes of death. In 2025, the theme for World No Tobacco Day — 'Protecting children from tobacco industry interference' — underscores the urgent need to shield the next generation from the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry.
Tobacco use kills more than 8 million people annually, including over 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Despite decades of public health campaigns, tobacco continues to pose a significant threat to global health, development, and the environment. As the world grapples with chronic diseases, air pollution, and widening health inequalities, the call to eliminate tobacco is louder and more relevant than ever.
A brief history of World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day was established in 1987 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise global awareness about the tobacco epidemic and its devastating consequences. The goal was twofold: first, to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use, and second, to expose the aggressive marketing strategies of tobacco companies. Over the decades, the campaign has evolved to tackle emerging challenges, from e-cigarettes and vaping to environmental destruction caused by tobacco farming.
Each year, WNTD focuses on a specific theme. Past themes have included 'Tobacco and heart disease,' 'Commit to quit,' and 'Tobacco: Threat to our environment.' These themes reflect the multifaceted dangers of tobacco, encompassing health, environmental sustainability, and social justice.
The health toll of tobacco
Tobacco is one of the few consumer products that kills up to half of its users when used as intended. It is a significant risk factor for a wide range of diseases:
Cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and strokes)
Respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema)
Cancers , particularly lung, throat, mouth, and esophageal cancers
Diabetes and complications from the disease
Compromised immune function
, increasing vulnerability to infections
In developing countries, where 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users live, the health burden is compounded by limited healthcare infrastructure and low public awareness. Tobacco-related illnesses drain health systems and diminish productivity, keeping millions in cycles of poverty.
Second-hand smoke also poses a severe risk, especially to children and pregnant women. It is linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, low birth weight, and developmental issues.
Youth in the crosshairs: This year's theme
In 2025, the WHO and its partners are spotlighting the growing menace of youth-targeted marketing by tobacco companies. Despite bans on tobacco advertising in many countries, the industry continues to find loopholes through social media influencers, flavored products, and e-cigarettes, which are often marketed as safer alternatives.
Nicotine addiction in adolescence is hazardous. It alters brain development, making young people more susceptible to addiction and mental health disorders. Moreover, teenagers who start with e-cigarettes are more likely to transition to traditional tobacco products.
The industry's tactics are well-documented: sponsoring music festivals, using cartoon characters, and employing lifestyle branding to make tobacco appear glamorous and rebellious. WNTD 2025 calls on governments to strengthen policies that protect children from exposure to these deceptive campaigns and enforce comprehensive bans on tobacco marketing across all platforms.
Environmental consequences of tobacco
Beyond human health, tobacco wreaks havoc on the environment. From cultivation to disposal, tobacco products cause significant ecological damage:
Deforestation : Tobacco farming accounts for the loss of 200,000 hectares of forest annually, especially in low-income countries.
Pesticide pollution : The crop requires heavy pesticide use, which contaminates water sources and harms biodiversity.
Waste generation : Cigarette butts, which contain plastic filters, are the most littered item on Earth, polluting oceans, rivers, and urban spaces.
Carbon emissions
: Tobacco production and consumption generate over 84 million metric tons of CO₂
annually.
WNTD calls for environmental accountability from tobacco companies and encourages governments to adopt polluter-pays policies, holding tobacco firms responsible for the full lifecycle of their products.
Progress and challenges
There is no denying that the global campaign against tobacco has yielded progress:
Over 100 countries have implemented graphic warning labels on cigarette packs.
Many cities and nations have smoke-free public spaces and higher tobacco taxes.
Cessation support services are increasingly available via health systems and digital platforms.
Plain packaging laws
have helped reduce the appeal of cigarette brands in several countries.
Yet, challenges remain. The tobacco industry continues to resist regulation through lawsuits and lobbying efforts. In some regions, particularly in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, tobacco use is still rising. Moreover, the proliferation of heated tobacco products (HTPs) and nicotine pouches presents a new frontier of public health risks that are still poorly understood.
A call to action
World No Tobacco Day is not just a symbolic occasion; it's a call to action for governments, civil society, health professionals, and individuals. To truly combat the tobacco epidemic, a multi-pronged approach is essential:
Stronger policy enforcement
Governments must fully implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) — a legally binding treaty that outlines measures such as advertising bans, plain packaging, smoke-free zones, and increased taxation — to effectively combat tobacco use.
Education and prevention
Comprehensive school-based education programs that teach children about the risks associated with tobacco use are crucial. Public awareness campaigns, particularly those that leverage digital media, can also counter the glamorisation of smoking.
Support for cessation
Quitting tobacco is challenging due to nicotine's addictive nature. Access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), counseling, and quitlines can significantly improve quit rates. Healthcare providers should be trained to support cessation in routine care.
Protecting vulnerable populations
Low-income communities, indigenous populations, and marginalised groups are disproportionately affected by tobacco. Targeted interventions and culturally sensitive messaging can bridge health gaps.
Holding the industry accountable
Transparency laws should require tobacco companies to disclose marketing expenditures and tactics. Governments should reject partnerships with the industry, avoiding conflicts of interest that undermine public health goals.
What individuals can do
You don't have to be a policymaker to make a difference on World No Tobacco Day. Here are a few steps individuals can take:
Quit or help someone quit smoking — seek support through health professionals or digital resources.
Advocate for smoke-free zones in your community.
Educate children and teens about the dangers of tobacco and the manipulative tactics used by the industry.
Share facts and resources on social media to raise awareness and promote understanding.
Support legislation
aimed at curbing tobacco use and demand accountability from tobacco companies.
Conclusion
World No Tobacco Day 2025 is a sobering yet empowering reminder that the battle against tobacco is far from over. While progress has been made, the tobacco industry's relentless drive to addict new users, especially youth, continues to threaten public health and future generations. This year's focus on protecting children is both timely and essential.
It is a collective responsibility — from global leaders to local communities — to work toward a tobacco-free world. By taking decisive action now, we can save millions of lives, reduce healthcare costs, protect the environment, and build healthier societies. The time to act is not tomorrow — it's today.
Let us mark World No Tobacco Day not just with awareness, but with action.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.