Date: May 31
Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year. That includes non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke.
You might already know tobacco is harmful. But what have you done about it?
Why this day matters
- Tobacco use is still high in India, especially among young adults
- Smokeless tobacco, like gutka and khaini, is often seen as “less harmful” but causes oral cancer
- Many users start before age 18
- Families spend more on tobacco than on healthcare
- Quit rates are low due to addiction and lack of support
What you risk with tobacco
- Lung cancer, heart disease, stroke
- Oral and throat cancer from smokeless forms
- Reduced fertility in both men and women
- Weak lungs and poor recovery from infections
- Premature wrinkles and bad breath
What you gain when you quit
- Better breathing within days
- Blood pressure and heart rate stabilize
- Taste and smell improve
- Money saved each month
- Better mood and more energy
Ask yourself
- Do you use tobacco to handle stress?
- Are you ignoring symptoms like a cough that won’t go away?
- Do your children see you smoke or chew tobacco?
If yes, today is a good day to stop.
How to take action
- Speak to your doctor about nicotine patches or support groups
- Replace tobacco with a simple habit like chewing gum
- Tell your friends and family you’re quitting
- Avoid places where you used to smoke or chew
- Read about people who quit and stayed tobacco-free
How you can help others
- Talk to someone who wants to quit but doesn’t know how
- Share the real risks of tobacco, not myths
- Support anti-tobacco campaigns at school or work
- Donate to NGOs that help people quit
Tobacco doesn’t just harm your lungs. It affects your family, finances, and future.
You have a choice. You can stop today.