World No Tobacco Day: Choose Health Over Tobacco

It’s no secret that tobacco kills, but not before presenting you with numerous grave health issues. To draw everyone’s attention to the wide range of problems caused by tobacco, in 1987, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 31st May of every year as World Tobacco Day or Anti-Tobacco Day. 

Here's a little data for you to ponder over on this No Tobacco Day 2022. In India, smoking is more common than we think, according to an article by India Today in 2019.

Health Issues Caused by Tobacco

Smoking leads to many health hazards. Even passive smoking or second-hand smoking can cause severe damage. It has caused a considerable number of deaths in adults and infants both. Exposure to second-hand smoke in children increases the risk of slowed lung growth, severe asthma, respiratory issues, sudden infant death syndrome, etc. 

Here are Some Severe Health Issues that Tobacco Might Cause:

1. Cardiovascular Disease

Tobacco smoking can cause permanent damage to your blood vessels and heart, causing numerous cardiovascular diseases like: 

• Narrowing of blood vessels
• Hypertension
• Aneurysms
• Peripheral artery disease
• Stoke
• Heart attack, etc.

Smoking can change your blood chemistry, resulting in plaque build-up in the major arteries and blood vessels. Plaque is a wax-like substance made from scar tissue, fat, calcium, cholesterol, and other material. This can further lead to atherosclerosis and thicken the blood in the arteries. 

The movement of blood cells becomes difficult, and eventually, the heart, brain, and other vital organs are deprived of blood, leading to stroke, heart attack, and even death.

2. Chances of Stroke

Tobacco smoke carries more than 7000 toxic chemicals, like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, cyanide, and arsenic. These chemicals pass through your lungs to the bloodstream, damaging blood cells in your body and increasing the risk of stroke. 

Smoking also reduces the level of HDL in your blood while enhancing LDL levels. Having low good cholesterol can increase the chance of stroke drastically.

Also, carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen in blood and nicotine results in your heart beating faster and increasing the blood pressure, ultimately resulting in a stroke. Smoking also triggers atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that leads to stroke. 

The chemicals in tobacco smoke also cause the platelets to stick together, resulting in clots and atherosclerosis, reduced or blocked blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body, and causing an ischaemic stroke.

3. Respiratory Issues and Lung Cancer

Smokers experience an increased risk of respiratory issues and lung cancer. Chronic bronchitis is long-term chronic inflammation in the large airway, resulting in coughing mucus. 

Then, there is Emphysema, another chronic lung condition that impacts the lung air sacs, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, sleep, and many other issues. Smoking also leads to chronic cough, wheezing, lung infections, etc. 

Smoking also promotes lung cancer causing cells' abnormal growth, resulting in masses, lumps, and even tumours. It might start with a lining on the bronchi and other parts of the respiratory system, gradually spreading into your lungs. 

4. Effect on Skin and Hair

The chemicals in tobacco smoke can change the skin colour, teeth, and hair, making you look older. It can cause loose skin under your eyes. In addition, smoking deprives your body of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in poor skin tone and sagging skin due to the destruction of collagen and elastin. 

Smokers use specific muscles around the lips, causing wrinkles. You also develop age spots, damaged teeth and gums, excessive hair loss, psoriasis, and more skin and hair issues. 

5. Effect on Pregnancy

Smoking makes it difficult for women to become pregnant, and they might not become pregnant at all. Also, if you smoke during pregnancy, it can damage the lungs and brain tissues of the unborn. In some cases, it might also cause cleft lips and other complications in pregnancy. In addition, carbon monoxide in smoking can deprive the unborn of oxygen, resulting in miscarriage.

6. Effect on Taste, Smell and Hunger

Smoking releases nicotine and reduces the oxygen supply in the body. It minimises the flavour in the mouth. Smoking also damages the nasal passage, causing inflammation and diminishing your sense of smell. Stopping smoking can help you regain your taste buds and senses.

Furthermore, nicotine also suppresses appetite by activating a pathway to the brain. If you don’t consume enough nutrition, your body will become weak and deprived. 

Smoking is injurious to health, and this is not just a statement. Even if you don't smoke but stay around those who do, you can be harming yourself unknowingly. And that’s why everyone should have a health insurance plan that guarantees financial support in case of health issues - sign up for Health ReAssure on World No Tobacco Day 2022. Get your family health insurance plan here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2025?

The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2025 is "Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products." This campaign focuses on revealing deceptive tactics used by tobacco and nicotine industries. It aims to expose how these industries make harmful products appear attractive to consumers.

2. Why is World No Tobacco Day celebrated?

World No Tobacco Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and promote tobacco control policies. It highlights the global tobacco epidemic and encourages people to quit smoking. The day also exposes tobacco industry interference and protects public health initiatives.

3. What is the slogan of World No Tobacco Day?

The slogans vary each year based on the theme. For 2025, key messages include "Appealing flavours, but hidden dangers" and "Bright products, Dark intentions." These slogans emphasise exposing industry manipulation and deceptive marketing tactics targeting consumers.

4. What is the colour of the ribbon for World No Tobacco Day?

The official colour associated with World No Tobacco Day is blue and white, reflecting the WHO's branding colours. Some campaigns also incorporate red to symbolise the dangers of tobacco use. Local organisations may use additional colours in their awareness materials and campaigns.

5. What products are made from tobacco?

Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco. Modern products include e-cigarettes, vaping devices, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches.

6. What does no tobacco mean?

No tobacco means complete abstinence from all tobacco and nicotine products, including smoking and smokeless forms. It includes avoiding cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and any nicotine-containing substances. 

7. Which country banned tobacco first?

Bhutan became the first country to completely ban tobacco sales in 2004, making it illegal to sell or distribute tobacco products. The country implemented comprehensive tobacco control measures including import bans. Several other nations have since introduced partial bans or strict regulations on tobacco products.