World No Tobacco Day is globally being observed today to raise awareness against the dangers of using tobacco. The day is a global initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to end the use of tobacco.
According to WHO, an estimated 1.3 billion people consume tobacco worldwide, which is one of the leading causes of preventable death. India is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2019, 8.5 percent of school students in the age
group of 13 to 15 consume tobacco in different forms across the country.
World No Tobacco Day was first observed in the year 1987 with an aim to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. The theme for this year is Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products, which focuses on highlighting the hidden dangers of tobacco products that come in appealing flavors and packaging.