Every year May 31 is dedicated to World No Tobacco Day. Launched by the WHO, this awareness campaign highlights the health risks of tobacco and supports smokers in their withdrawal.
In France and all over the world, the May 31st is dedicated to no tobacco day Or World no Tobacco Day. This Day is the perfect opportunity to begin weaning. Smoking is the second leading cause of death in the world with more than 6 million deaths per yearof which more than 600,000 are non-smokers, reports national education. Almost half of children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke in public places. “Tobacco is the first risk factor for cancer, responsible for one in five cancers and one in three cancer deaths. Consuming tobacco increases the risk of 17 different cancer sites., recalls Prof. Steven Le Gouill, Director of the Institut Curie Hospital Complex. In France, the number of smokers is estimated at more than 10 million people. Among them, 34.6% are men and 26.5% are women. Smoking, particularly among women, has been on the rise since the early 1970s. the origin of this initiative? The theme of the year? The actions implemented? Focus.
What is the date of No Tobacco Day?
No Tobacco Day is May 31. Not to be confused with the Month without Tobacco which takes place every November in France.
What is the theme of No Tobacco Day 2023?
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2023 is “Let’s grow food, not tobacco”. Tobacco cultivation harms our health, the health of farmers and the planet, insists the WHO. The 2023 campaign is therefore about encouraging governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to help farmers switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition.
► Mobilize governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to help farmers switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition.
► Educate tobacco growing communities on the benefits of abandoning this crop in favor of sustainable crops
► Support efforts to combat desertification and environmental degradation by reducing tobacco farming
► Denounce efforts by industry to obstruct the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods.
What are the actions for No Tobacco Day?
WHO provides smokers with the tools and resources they need to successfully quit. From May 31 to June 30, Public Health France supports and amplifies the tobacco denormalization movement, already in progress in France, in particular thanks to the support of the Fund for the fight against addiction. “Through this campaign, Public Health France reaffirms its desire to make the fight against smoking a priority. Without making smokers feel guilty, she shows that a life without tobacco is not only possible, but that quitting smoking is a positive decision associated with many benefits.“, explains Viêt Nguyen-Thanh, head of the Addictions Unit at Public health France.
- At the end of the denormalization campaign “Welcome to a tobacco-free life”Public Health France deploys, on social networks and with its partners, a specific device on May 31 in order to propose a No Tobacco Day to smokers. In order to best help them, a calendar to be inserted in the diary application of their smartphone is offered to them. Thus, they will receive notifications to motivate them, advise them and encourage them to hold on throughout the day. These messages will also be relayed on social networks. :
- a television spot of 30 seconds divided into 3 videos of 10 seconds and broadcast on television, on replay services on mobiles, tablets and computers.
- a poster campaign for public space (paper or digitized)
- a digital campaign with web banners and on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter),
- a special operation in the written and digital press to highlight life without tobacco by testimonials from ex-smokers.
- New identity for Tabac Info Service: the quitting information and assistance system, which answers all questions about smoking and quitting, was revamped this year. It also continues to offer free personalized support, carried out by tobacco specialists who can be reached on 39 89, on the website, on Facebook or on the application of the same name, designed by Health Insurance.
History: what is the origin of No Tobacco Day?
This Day was instituted by the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 under the name of “World No Tobacco Day” (or World No Tobacco Day in French).
Sources: World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2023, Education.gouv / Protect the environment: World No Tobacco Day 2023: Grow Food Not Tobacco, WHO.