Every year on the 31 May, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated across the world.

It is a day that raises the profile of the health risks of smoking, and encourages smokers to go without cigarettes for the day, and more recently e-cigarettes which are more commonly known as vaping devices. 

World No Tobacco Day furthermore encourages Governments to implement effective measures and policies to reduce tobacco and vaping use.

What are the aims?

The World Health Organization first created the day in 1987. It aims to increase awareness of the devastating harms of smoking, secondhand smoking and thirdhand smoking, as well as now vaping also also includes highlighting the deceitful tactics of the tobacco industry.

It furthermore contributes to protecting present and future generations from starting to smoke and/or vape, and most importantly, the day encourages and supports people who smoke and/or vape to quit.

How devastating is it?

Tobacco or nicotine use is a threat to any person, regardless of gender, age, race, cultural or educational background. It brings suffering, disease, and death, impoverishing families and national economies.

Globally, there are 8 million deaths from tobacco use every year. Of these deaths, more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing in secondhand smoke.

Every year in Australia, 18,762 people die from smoking, and closer to home in Victoria, this is about 4,000 deaths a year that could have been prevented.

What is this year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day?

The theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day is focusing on protecting children from the tobacco and nicotine industry’s interference and to also protect them from their marketing tactics. 

As reported by the World Health Organization, approximately 37 million children aged 13–15 years use tobacco across the globe, and in many countries, adolescents’ use of vaping devices exceeds that of adults. 

Despite the significant progress made in reducing the smoking rate, the emergence of vaping devices threatens the significant gains achieved in tobacco control.

Research highlights that the use of vaping devices particularly amongst young people who don’t smoke increases traditional cigarette use, by nearly three times (WHO, 2024).

What can we do? 

We can protect our children and young people by increasing awareness of the devastating harm of both traditional cigarettes and the latest vaping devices – they are not just water that people are vaping!

We can also urge our Governments to implement stronger measures to ensure that our young people are protected by the tobacco and vaping industry tactics. It’s therefore heartening to see the Australian Government taking action to support this, including additional campaign advertising and awareness, as well as investing in cessation services including a new national hub to help people who smoke and/or vape to quit.

Are you thinking about quitting your smoking and/or vaping device? 

If you’re thinking about quitting, World No Tobacco Day provides the perfect opportunity to have another go. You can start by not smoking and/or vaping for a few hours, or not smoking/vaping for a half a day, or try and quit for the whole day. You could even try cutting down the number of cigarettes you smoke and/or puffs you take on your vaping device. The decision is yours – take one day at a time and think about the benefits you are gaining.

Think about how good you are feeling and looking! Think about how much money you’re saving – what could you spend that money on?

Want to try but are not sure what to do?

If you’re interested in having a go, it’s important to remember that a physiological nicotine craving usually lasts 2 to 5 minutes, so it is important to put some strategies in place that will help you get through the urges. Below are some quick tips that can help you:

  • Eat a piece of fruit, a healthy snack or chew some sugar free gum
  • Play a game on your phone/computer or tablet
  • Do some quick stretches, go for a short walk or do some formal exercise
  • Practice deep breathing or mindfulness by focusing on the present moment
  • Play your favourite music and sing out loud, or dance
  • Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with mouth wash
  • Use the nicotine patches/some nicotine gum/the lozenges/the mouth spray to help take the edge of your withdrawal symptoms. There are a number of options available at a reduced cost via a prescription – speak to your doctor for further information
  • Use combination therapy (the patch and gum for example), or speak to your doctor about the other prescription medications, such as Zyban and Champix that are also available at reduced cost
  • Call the Quitline (13 7848) for some support

Going smoke and/or vapefree is achievable

Create your own personal list of strategies, as this will help you stay on track.

Quit before? Learn from your previous quitting experiences of what worked and didn’t work, and have another go!

Remember that there are many people who have successfully quit smoking tobacco and/or their vaping device. With the right information and support – you too can be successful.

If you would like further information on quitting, have a look at our previous articles, and for information on World No Tobacco Day, visit the World Health Organization.

Until next time, wishing you all great health and wellbeing and a Happy World No Tobacco Day!

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REFERENCES:

Greenhalgh, EM, Scollo, MM & Winstanley, MH (2024). Tobacco in Australia: Facts and issues. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria.  www.TobaccoInAustralia.org.au

Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health (2014). Let’s make the next generation tobacco-free. Your Guide to the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

World Health Organization (2022). World No Tobacco Day. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day/2024