Since 1987, 31 May has been World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), an initiative of the WHO. The organization’s global campaign aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the entire tobacco cycle and its health consequences.
According to WHO, the tobacco life cycle is a predominantly polluting and harmful process. Worldwide, tobacco cultivation also contributes to the deforestation of 200,000 hectares and soil degradation. It also depletes the planet’s water, fossil fuel and metal resources.
In addition, 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are released into the environment every year.
The 2022 campaign calls on governments and policymakers to tighten legislation. WHO recommends that countries completely ban the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.
Globally, around 6 million people die from tobacco-related diseases every year, of whom around 600,000 die from passive smoking. This sad data is projected to rise to over 8 million by 2030 if no change is made.
Burning a cigarette produces almost 4000 compounds.
The best known of these is carbon monoxide, which reduces the oxygen supply to certain tissues, increasing the risk of vascular changes, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
Tobacco smoke contains around 40 carcinogens, meaning that with every puff of tobacco smoke you smoke, you greatly increase your chances of developing cancer. In addition to cancer, smoking also increases the risk of developing COPD, asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, immune deficiency and visual impairment.
In addition to avoiding disease, it is also aesthetically preferable to smoke-free living to avoid premature wrinkling, yellowing teeth and bad breath.
Quitting is not easy, get professional help!