World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners recognises 31 May as World No Tobacco Day every year.

The objective is to spread awareness of deadly and harmful effects of tobacco smoking and second-hand smoke exposure; along with this, to discourage tobacco consumption in any form.

WHO focuses on ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’ on this day and this campaign spreads awareness:

Tobacco’s negative impact on people’s lungs, from causing oral cancer to chronic respiratory diseases
Disseminate awareness for reducing tobacco consumption
Engage stakeholders across multiple sectors for an anti-tobacco campaign

Goals of World No Tobacco Day campaign

Highlight risks due to tobacco smoking and exposure to second hand smoke
Reduce the magnitude of death and illness of lung diseases caused by tobacco smoking globally
Create awareness of emerging evidence of the link between tobacco smoking and tuberculosis deaths
Illustrate feasible actions and measures to reduce the risks to lung health posed by tobacco through public and government information programs