As the world celebrates another World No Tobacco Day, people from all over the world unite to highlight the vital significance of this day, raising awareness of the serious health hazards connected with tobacco use and promoting preventive and cessation strategies.

The day provides an opportunity to raise public awareness of the dangers of tobacco use, promote sensible laws that lower tobacco use, and assist smokers in their efforts to give up.

“As medical experts, we have direct experience with the devastation that tobacco does to people, families, and communities. We must regard World No Tobacco Day as a critical call to action rather than only a ceremonial occasion. Given its highly addictive properties and significant health hazards, tobacco use requires our immediate attention. Together, let’s take on this pandemic, promoting prevention, quitting, and everyone’s well-being. “By working together, we can create a world free of tobacco use and health problems,” said Dr. Sandeep Jain, an interventional pulmonologist at Narayana Hospital in Howrah.

At the Narayana Hospital RN Tagore Hospital Mukundapur, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, M.D., FNBE (CCM), Senior Consultant, Critical Care Medicine, said, “Tobacco, whether smoked or used orally, poses significant harm to oneself and others. Its easily accessible nature combined with its addictive nicotine content makes for a dangerous mix. We must provide a healthy example for the next generations. Since pollution levels are rising, quitting smoking is essential to preserving good lung health and general well-being. Prioritizing our health and the health of those we care about can be achieved by abstaining from all tobacco products, protecting not just the here and now but also the future”.

With almost 8 million deaths annually from tobacco smoking, it continues to rank among the world’s most common preventable causes of disease and death. Numerous health problems, including heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, and different types of cancer, are significantly increased by it. Beyond its negative effects on health, tobacco use and production have serious negative effects on the economy and environment as well, aggravating poverty and causing pollution and deforestation.

It is imperative to stop tobacco usage, especially in young people. Public health campaigns are an important component of effective prevention efforts as they educate individuals about the dangers of tobacco use and the advantages of quitting. Stricter regulations on tobacco sponsorship, promotion, and advertising can greatly lower the amount of tobacco used. Higher tobacco product taxes can also discourage use, particularly among price-sensitive populations like youth. Enforcing smoke-free laws in public areas lessens the social acceptability of smoking and protects non-smokers from secondhand smoke.

Although giving up smoking can be difficult, it is possible to do it with the correct help and resources. Behavioral therapy is one of the most successful ways to assist people in quitting, and counseling and support groups offer crucial direction and encouragement. Prescription drugs and nicotine replacement treatment (NRT) are two examples of pharmaceuticals that can assist control of withdrawal symptoms. Technology also provides a plethora of tools and applications that help with progress tracking and motivation maintenance. Healthcare professionals can also assist in creating a customized stopping plan that meets the needs of each individual, guaranteeing individualized guidance and encouragement during the process of giving up smoking.

We implore communities, governments, and organizations to step up their efforts in the battle against tobacco on this World No Tobacco Day. The world needs to act together to become tobacco-free. Everyone may make a difference by encouraging others to give up smoking, pushing for stricter laws, or raising awareness of the risks associated with tobacco use.

When we work together, we can achieve great progress towards a healthier, tobacco-free future.

Priyanka Dutta