World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May. The annual observance informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.^[1]

World No Tobacco Day

All UN member states

Awareness

31 May

31 May 2025 (2025-05-31)

Annual

Abstaining from tobacco

The Member States of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to more than 8 million deaths each year worldwide, including 1.2 million as the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.^[2] The day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance around the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.

In 1987, the WHO's passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be "a world no-smoking day". The objective of the day was to urge tobacco users worldwide to abstain from using tobacco products for 24 hours, an action they hoped would provide assistance for those trying to quit.^[4]

World Health Assembly

In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed by the World Health Assembly, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May. Since then, the WHO has supported World No Tobacco Day every year, linking each year to a different tobacco-related theme.

[5]

In 1998, the WHO established the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI), an attempt to focus international resources and attention on the issue of tobacco. The initiative provides assistance for creating global public health policy, encourages mobilization between societies, and supports the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).^[6] The WHO FCTC is a global public health treaty adopted in 2003 by countries around the globe as an agreement to implement policies that work towards tobacco cessation.

global health

In 2008, on the eve of the World No Tobacco Day, the WHO called for a worldwide ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The theme of that year's day was "Tobacco-free youth"; therefore, this initiative was especially meant to target advertising efforts aimed at youth. According to the WHO, the tobacco industry must replace older quitting or dying smokers with younger consumers. Because of this, marketing strategies are commonly observed in places that will attract youth such as movies, the Internet, billboards, and magazines. Studies have shown that the more youth are exposed to tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to smoke.

[7]

In 2015, WNTD highlighted the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocated for effective to reduce tobacco consumption, including ending the illicit trade of tobacco products.^[8]

policies

In 2016, on World No Tobacco Day, the WHO called on governments to get ready for of tobacco products.^[9]

plain packaging

In 2017, the focus was "A threat to development". The campaign aims to demonstrate the threats that the tobacco industry poses to , including the health and economic well-being of citizens in all countries.^[10]

sustainable development

In 2018, the focus was "Tobacco breaks hearts: choose health, not tobacco" #NoTobacco.

[11]

In 2019, the focus was on "Tobacco and lung health".

[12]

In 2020, the focus was on "Tobacco and related industry tactics to attract younger generations".

[13]

In 2021, the focus was "Commit to quit".^[15]

[14]

In 2022, the focus was "Tobacco: Threat to our environment".

[16]

In 2023, the focus was "Grow food, not tobacco".

[17]

In 2024, the focus is "Protecting children from tobacco industry interference".

World No Tobacco Day