World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day History

World No Tobacco Day is an observance aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco consumption and promoting the implementation of policies that protect individuals from its harmful effects. The event is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and focuses on emphasizing the impact of tobacco use on public health, as well as encouraging everyone to take steps towards a smoke-free life.

In South Africa, World No Tobacco Day holds significant relevance due to the high prevalence of tobacco use and its consequences on the population's health. The link between tobacco consumption and chronic diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses is well-established in the South African population. South Africa faces the challenge of addressing public health issues while balancing the economic impact on the tobacco industry. South Africa has taken steps to combat this issue by implementing the Tobacco Products Control Act to reduce consumption, protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke, and raise awareness about the dangers associated with smoking.

Typical customs observed in South Africa during World No Tobacco Day include educational campaigns, seminars, and community-based events focusing on the harmful effects of smoking and promoting a healthier lifestyle. The observance of World No Tobacco Day takes place on the 31st of May each year.

World No Tobacco Day facts

• According to the World Health Organization, nearly 80% of the world's 1 billion smokers live in low and middle income countries.
• Arsenic, lead, and tar are just three of the 7,000 chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke.
• Globally, the prevalence of tobacco smoking is higher among men, with around 32% of men being smokers compared to approximately 9% of women.
• Adolescents in South Africa are increasingly taking up smoking, with recent studies showing that the prevalence of tobacco use among high school students is 16.9%.
• A study estimates that direct and indirect costs of smoking in South Africa are around ZAR 59 billion per year.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for World No Tobacco Day

Top things to do in South Africa for World No Tobacco Day

• Educate youth and teenagers in your neighborhood about the negative effects of smoking and encourage them to quit if they have already picked up the habit. The best way to eradicate smoking is by educating the new generation of the negative effects of tobacco use.
• Volunteer for the Freedom from Smoking program or another like program that helps smokers quit.
• Watch a documentary to learn about the dangers of tobacco and its' impact on South Africians. Here are our top picks:
  1. The Tobacco Wars (2019) - This Al Jazeera documentary series investigates the tobacco industry's infiltration of the South African government and the threat to public health from the illicit tobacco trade.
  2. War on Tobacco: South Africa's fight against cigarette smuggling (2018) - Produced by Deutsche Welle (DW), this documentary explores South Africa's battle against the illicit tobacco trade, which costs the nation billions of dollars in lost tax revenue and threatens public health.
  3. South Africa: Smoking Gun (2013) - Produced by Journeyman Pictures, this investigative documentary delves into the role of multinational tobacco companies in South Africa, exposing their aggressive marketing tactics targeting the youth and undermining public health measures.
  4. The Price of Tobacco (2003) - This BBC documentary sheds light on the high cost of tobacco production on small-scale farmers in Africa, focusing on Malawi and Zimbabwe, which are major tobacco exporters to South Africa.
• Read a book to learn more about the dangers of tobacco and its' impact on South Africans. Here are our top picks:
  1. Tobacco Wars: Inside the Spy Games and Dirty Tricks of Southern Africa's Cigarette Trade by Johann van Loggerenberg - This book offers a comprehensive look at the tobacco industry's tactics and the dangers of tobacco in South Africa, with a focus on illegal cigarette trade, smuggling, and tax evasion.
  2. The Political Economy of Tobacco Control in South Africa: Between Saints and Sinners by Hana Ross - This book covers the political and economic factors influencing tobacco control in South Africa, providing insights into the dangers of tobacco and the complexities of policy implementation.
  3. Tobacco and Inequality: Dangers in South Africa by Rosemary Hobart - This book looks at the relationship between tobacco dangers and social inequalities in South Africa, exploring the impact of tobacco on vulnerable populations.
  4. Addictions and Development in South Africa: A Call for Action by Hayden Thorne - This book discusses the impact of various addictions, including tobacco, on social and economic development in South Africa, emphasizing the need for effective policies and interventions.