A day without tobacco
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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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 that result from smoking and calls for the promotion of WHO's programs to reduce tobacco use.
This year, WHO again appeals to all countries to make every effort to stop the illicit spread of tobacco products.
Today, the illegal distribution of tobacco products is a major problem for all countries. According to the conducted research, more than 10 billion euros of taxes are lost annually because of illegal trade in tobacco products. The problem with illegal tobacco trade is observed not only in developed countries, according to some data, almost every state loses huge money as a result of such activities.
WHO's response was the protocol to stop the illegal distribution of tobacco products, adopted in 2012.
This year, WHO plans to host a company dedicated to World No Tobacco Day, the goal of which will be:
- dissemination of information on the dangers of smoking for health, especially in low-income countries where illegal products are widely distributed and more accessible to the public.
- facilitating the implementation of the protocol on the cessation of the illicit distribution of tobacco products by all countries.
- to illustrate how the illegal trade in cigarettes reduces the indicators of WHO programs and all the efforts made to combat tobacco.
- emphasize that the illegal distribution of tobacco is a means of enriching criminal groups and a source of financing of criminal activities (trade in organs, weapons, people, terrorism, etc.).
Every year, due to smoking in the world, about 6 million people die, of which more than 600,000 people are passive smokers. If no measures are taken today, then in 15 years the number of deaths will increase by 2 million. More than 80% of deaths occur in countries with a low and medium standard of living.
Illegal distribution of cigarettes badly damages not only health of citizens, but also their interests, in such trade children are often involved. The low price allows young people to purchase illegal products "out of interest", in addition, on packs of cigarettes there are no 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 activities, the state loses huge amounts of money that could be used to provide services to the population.
In this regard, WHO calls on politicians to take the necessary response measures to combat the illicit spread of tobacco products. The public should be informed as much as possible of the adverse consequences of acquiring such products, including information on the financing of such criminal activities as human trafficking, drugs, terrorism, etc.
On the eve of the holiday, which will be celebrated on May 31, each person can join the company and distribute through social networks information about the dangers of smoking and the consequences of purchasing illegal products.
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