World No Tobacco Day 2023: history and tradition
World No Tobacco Day was introduced by the World Health Organization at the end of the last century. We tell why it was done and when it will be celebrated in 2023

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, tobacco smoking is responsible for 7 deaths each year. More than 000% of people who smoke live in countries with low and middle living standards. And they are the most susceptible to tobacco-related diseases.

For this reason, in 1987, the WHO introduced the anti-tobacco date (World No Tobacco Day) into the calendar. Read about the traditions and meaning of World No Tobacco Day 2023 in our material.

When is World No Tobacco Day 2023?

World No Tobacco Day 2023 is celebrated annually on the last day of spring, 31 May. The action is aimed at drawing the attention of the world community to the problem of the tobacco epidemic.

The Story: Why World No Tobacco Day is Necessary

As the number of people subject to addiction increased, the ranks of earthlings simultaneously expanded, offering to abandon, in general, the consumption of tobacco. In most cases, smokers who are aware of the dangers of tobacco want to quit their bad habit. That is why every year on May 31, on World No Tobacco Day, public organizations, schools, universities, as well as some companies hold actions promoting a healthy lifestyle.

According to WHO, smoking is the cause of 85% of deaths from cancer of the lungs, bronchi, trachea, 16% of deaths from coronary heart disease, 26% of deaths from tuberculosis, 24% of lower respiratory tract infections. An unsightly picture in this area is emerging in Our Country. We smoke about 10% of women, heavy smokers are more than 50 – 60% of men. Moreover, our country took fourth place in the anti-rating of countries in which tobacco claims the maximum number of lives, second only to China, India and the United States.

In modern Our Country, active measures to combat smoking began 20 years ago. So in 2001, the first federal law “On Restricting Tobacco Smoking” was adopted. In 2013, a new federal law was introduced – “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of second hand tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption”, according to which smoking in public places, sponsorship and advertising of tobacco, as well as the involvement of children in tobacco use were banned. In recent years, as a result of the measures taken in the Federation, there has been a slight decrease in the number of smokers. In 2009, 39,4% of the adult population in Our Country were smokers, in 2016 this figure dropped to 30,9%.

Anti-tobacco campaign methods

Currently, active measures are being taken to combat tobacco smoking. For example, the prohibition of advertising and promotion of the sale and sponsorship of tobacco. These measures can help reduce tobacco use by about 7%, and in some countries as much as 16%.

The most effective way to control tobacco use is to raise taxes on tobacco products. For example, WHO recommends raising the excise tax on tobacco products to 70% of the price of the product. In 2016, in the Federation in 2016, the excise tax on tobacco products was only 41%. An increase in this indicator will contribute to the rise in the price of tobacco products.

In 2017, the Ministry of Health of the Federation developed a draft anti-tobacco concept for the implementation of the state policy to counteract tobacco consumption in the near future. This concept involves an increase in the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as a complete ban on smoking in public places such as:

  • total area of ​​communal apartments;
  • public transport stops and at a distance of meters meters from them;
  • at a distance of three meters from the entrances to the buildings of shopping centers;
  • underground and overground passages;
  • in private transport in the presence of children.

The World Health Organization continues to support tobacco control throughout the world in every possible way. In February 2005, the WHO Tobacco Control Convention came into force. Since then, this document has become one of the most widely accepted treaties in the history of the United Nations. The convention covers 180 countries, with a total population of 90% of the world.

To support the implementation of the provisions specified in the Framework Convention in 2008, WHO introduced a set of practical measures. As part of it, regular monitoring of tobacco smoking and the introduction of preventive measures, awareness of the dangers associated with tobacco use, a ban on advertising and an increase in taxes on tobacco products are planned.

Popular questions and answers

How is smoking harmful to health?

The controversy between heavy smokers and opponents of tobacco is as old as smoking itself. To the main question why smoking is harmful to health, we answer that there is no safe level of tobacco smoke. Both active and passive smoking causes serious cardiovascular and lung diseases, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and lung cancer.

What is harmful smoking during pregnancy?

Tobacco smoke can cause sudden death in newborns. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature births, low birth weights, and developmental abnormalities.

Why passive smoking is harmful?

Inhaling the smoke that fills restaurants, offices, and other enclosed spaces is quite dangerous. Tobacco smoke contains about 7000 chemicals, some of which are harmful and even carcinogenic.

How is World No Tobacco Day celebrated in Our Country?

On this day, educational campaigns and events, sports competitions and races are held, conferences and seminars are organized. This is a holiday for all those who lead a healthy lifestyle. Doctors, narcologists, activists associated with the World Health Organization do not forget about the day.

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