World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day History

World No Tobacco Day is an event observed around the globe to draw attention to the prevalence of tobacco use and its effects on human health. This day seeks to encourage individuals to refrain from tobacco consumption for at least 24 hours while educating them about the need for policies to reduce tobacco use. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day emphasizes the importance of implementing strategies to reduce tobacco use especially in a country with a high tobacco consumption rates.

In Nigeria, the harmful effects of tobacco consumption represent a major challenge given tobacco's impact on non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular illnesses. According to WHO, Nigeria has one of the highest smoking prevalence rates in Africa with an estimated 4.5 million adult smokers in the country.

World No Tobacco Day campaigns in Nigeria aim to encourage policymakers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector to enforce strict anti-smoking laws, promote tobacco cessation interventions, and raise awareness about tobacco's dangers. World No Tobacco Day is observed annually on May 31st.

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.
• A major challenge in Nigeria is the availability of cheap and unregulated tobacco products. For instance, locally-made cigarettes often have higher levels of harmful chemicals and are more accessible to young people and low-income individuals.
• Tobacco consumption in Nigeria is responsible for an estimated 16,100 deaths annually, with many more suffering from various tobacco-related diseases.

In the News and Trending in Nigeria for World No Tobacco Day

Top things to do in Nigeria 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 more about the threat that tobacco poses to Nigeria. Here are our picks:
  1. Nigeria's Deadly Cigarettes (BBC Africa Eye): This documentary investigates Nigeria's booming cigarette industry, revealing the illegal smuggling, cheap prices, and the impact of tobacco on health in the country.
  2. Tobacco's New Frontier - Nigeria (Journeyman Pictures): This documentary explores the tobacco industry's expansion in Nigeria and its growing impact on public health in the country.
  3. The Real Cost of Smoking in Nigeria (Voice TV Nigeria): This documentary examines the growing popularity of tobacco products in Nigeria and the resulting health consequences, with a focus on issues such as addiction, health risks, and the economic burden.
• Read a book to learn about the danger of tobacco in Nigeria?
  1. Tobacco Control in Nigeria: Policy Recommendations by (Tobacco Control Policy Advocacy Group in Nigeria) - This book provides an overview of the tobacco control landscape in Nigeria, including the dangers of tobacco use, and offers policy recommendations to address the issue.
  2. Curbing the Epidemic: Governments and the Economics of Tobacco Control by (The World Bank) - This book provides an economic analysis of tobacco control measures, including their effectiveness in reducing tobacco use and improving public health. It includes a discussion of Nigeria's context and its efforts in tobacco control.