World No Tobacco Day was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 and May 31 every year is marked as a worldwide holiday to improve public health and make people aware of the health risks related to tobacco.

World No Tobacco Day was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 and May 31 every year is marked as a worldwide holiday to improve public health and make people aware of the health risks related to tobacco. This day has been met by enthusiasm by non-smokers, governments, medical and healthcare organizations around the globe.

Almost 8 million people around the world die from tobacco every year. In Vietnam more than 40,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Every 6 seconds, 1 person dies from tobacco-related diseases, smoking 1 cigarette reduces life expectancy by 5.5 minutes. Vietnam is among 15 countries with the highest number of smokers in the world with about 15.3 million active and 33 million passive smokers, who undeliberately inhale smoke of their surroundings.

Despite the negative health effects, smoking also weakens immune system, which is a serious matter in the current pandemic situation. As a result, a respiratory disease can progress faster and lead to severe complications, even lethal outcome when contracted with COVID-19.

Besides, passive smokers are also suffered from the same diseases as active smokers. According to the International Labor Organization, passive exposure to tobacco smoke, or in other words secondhand smoking, in the workplace causes about 200,000 deaths a year around the world. Therefore, each individual should raise awareness to give up or refrain from smoking, protect his/her health, and create a healthy favorable environment in the community.

Do not smoke in the house, in the workplace.
Do not smoke in public places.
Do not smoke when children are around.

“Quit smoking today for the sake of yourself and your loved ones.”