World No-Smoke Day or No Tobacco
Day is an annual event that is observed on May 31st. It aims to spread
awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco on health. The campaign also
tries to reduce the prevalence of the diseases and deaths due to the
consumption of tobacco.
Significance
According to the WHO, around 8
million people die as a result of tobacco use every year. It is the main
culprit behind lung diseases and other respiratory disorders including
tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc. Tobacco
consumption leads to oral and lung cancers. Notably, oral cancer is one of the
most prevalent cancers in India. As per the data of the Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR), tobacco accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all
cancers in India.
History
The World Health Organisation
passed a resolution in 1987 that announced April 7th 1988 as ‘World No Smoking
Day’. This was done to motivate people to prevent using tobacco for at least 24
hours. The aim behind this was to help those who are struggling to quit the use
of tobacco. Later in the year 1988, this international organisation passed
another resolution that observed May 31st as the ‘World No Tobacco day.’ In
fact, in 2008, the WHO banned any kind of advertisement or promotion about
tobacco, thinking that probably the ads attract youth to indulge in smoking.
Measures Taken by India
You will be surprised to know that India is the second-largest consumer of tobacco. This is what a 2018 research published in the SAGE Journal states. In 1975, India passed the Cigarettes Act, according to which companies needed to display a statutory warning on cigarette packs and in advertisements too. In 1988, smoking in public vehicle was declared illegal. In 1992, the Indian government banned the sale of toothpaste and tooth powder containing tobacco. In 2003, Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) came into existence. According to this act, a display of pictorial warning on tobacco products is mandatory.