Basic Information WNTD
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is an annual event observed on May 31 with an intention to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe and spread the negative health effects of tobacco and to take measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco as a whole.
Observed on: May 31
Organized by: WHO, UN
Introduced in: 1987
Observed: Worldwide
About World No Tobacco Day (WNTD)
Every year May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). This day is important as nearly 6 million deaths are occurred across the world due to tobacco usage. This includes a massive 600000 non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. The observance of World No Tobacco Day is intended to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the globe. The day also intended to spread the negative health effects of tobacco and also to take measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco as a whole.
WHO’s General Health Assembly had passed a resolution in 1987 to celebrate an event called “World No Smoking Day” on 7th of April every year. In 1988 it had passed another resolution to celebrate an event called “World No Tobacco Day” on 31st of May every year.
Activities and Programs on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD)
Each year the observance of the day is based on a theme selected by WHO for that year. Many programs are conducted based on this theme around the world to observe this day. WHO releases brochures, fliers, posters, press releases, videos related to the theme. Letter writing campaigns to government officials and local newspapers, marches, public debates, local and national publicity campaigns, anti-tobacco activist meetings, educational programming, street plays, flash mobs, public arts, photographic exhibitions, essay writing competitions, video presentations, health camps, rallies, parades, etc. are some of the events conducted on this day.
Theme for World No Tobacco Day (WNTD)
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2021 Theme is “Commit to Quit“
World No Tobacco Day 2020 Theme was “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use”
World No Tobacco Day 2019 Theme was “Tobacco and lung health”
WNTD 2018 Theme was “Tobacco and heart disease“
2017 Theme: Tobacco – a threat to development
2016 Theme: Get ready for plain packaging
2015 Theme: Stop illicit trade of tobacco products
2014 Theme: Raise taxes on tobacco
2013 Theme: Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
2012 Theme: Tobacco industry interference
2011 Theme: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
2010 Theme: Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women
2009 Theme: Tobacco health warnings
2008 Theme: Tobacco-free youth
2007 Theme: Smoke free inside
2006 Theme: Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise
2005 Theme: Health professionals against tobacco
2004 Theme: Tobacco and poverty, a vicious circle
2003 Theme: Tobacco free film, tobacco free fashion
2002 Theme: Tobacco free sports
2001 Theme: Second-hand smoke kills
2000 Theme: Tobacco kills, don’t be duped
1999 Theme: Leave the pack behind
1998 Theme: Growing up without tobacco
1997 Theme: United for a tobacco free world
1996 Theme: Sport and art without tobacco: play it tobacco free
1995 Theme: Tobacco costs more than you think
1994 Theme: Media and tobacco: get the message across
1993 Theme: Health services: our windows to a tobacco free world
1992 Theme: Tobacco free workplaces: safer and healthier
1991 Theme: Public places and transport: better be tobacco free
1990 Theme: Childhood and youth without tobacco: growing up without tobacco
1989 Theme: Women and tobacco: the female smoker: at added risk
1988 Theme: Tobacco or Health: choose health
1987 Theme: 1st Smoke-free Olympics (1988 Olympic Winter Games – Calgary)