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Tobacco-Free Day
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Every year in May, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated. On this day, WHO draws public attention to the health problems caused by smoking and calls for support for WHO programmes to reduce tobacco consumption.
This year, WHO once again calls on all countries to make every effort to stop the illicit distribution of tobacco products.
Today, illegal distribution of tobacco products is a large-scale problem for all countries. According to studies, more than 10 billion euros in taxes are lost annually due to illegal trade in tobacco products. The problem with illegal trade in tobacco is observed not only in developed countries, according to some data, almost every country loses huge amounts of money as a result of such activities.
The WHO's response was a protocol to stop the illegal distribution of tobacco products, adopted in 2012.
This year, WHO plans to hold a campaign dedicated to World No Tobacco Day, the aim of which will be:
- dissemination of information about the health risks of smoking, especially in low-income countries where illegal products are widespread and more accessible to the population.
- promoting the implementation of the protocol on the cessation of the illegal distribution of tobacco products by all countries.
- to demonstrate how the illicit trade in cigarettes undermines WHO programmes and all efforts to combat tobacco smoking.
- It should be especially emphasized that the illegal distribution of tobacco is a means of enrichment for criminal groups and a source of financing criminal activities (trafficking in organs, weapons, people, terrorism, etc.).
Every year, about 6 million people die from smoking in the world, of which more than 600 thousand are passive smokers. If measures are not taken today, then in 15 years the number of deaths will increase by 2 million. More than 80% of fatal cases occur in countries with low and average living standards.
Illegal distribution of cigarettes is very harmful not only to the health of citizens, but also to their interests; children are often involved in such trade. Low prices allow young people to buy illegal products "out of interest", in addition, cigarette packs do not contain the necessary warnings about the dangers of smoking and the possible development of serious diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and lung cancer.
As a result of illegal activity, the state loses huge amounts of money that could go towards providing services to the population.
In this regard, WHO calls on politicians to take the necessary countermeasures to combat the illegal distribution of tobacco products. The public should be informed as much as possible about the adverse effects of purchasing such products, including information about the financing of such criminal activities as human trafficking, drug trafficking, terrorism, etc.
In anticipation of the holiday, which will be celebrated on May 31, everyone can join the company and spread information through social networks about the dangers of smoking and the consequences of purchasing illegal products.
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