World No Tobacco Day 2025

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.