
NCD Alliance is supporting World No Tobacco Day on 31 May – highlighting the detrimental impacts of tobacco on the environment, economies, public health and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Tobacco use: Here's what you need to know
Tobacco use is a common risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease. An estimated 8 million deaths occur each year as a result of tobacco use.
Like many others, tobacco use is a preventable risk factor. This can be through commitment and political will from governments to curb intensive marketing from tobacco industries, to stop industry interference in health policy or to adopt some of the World Health Organization's Best Buys [1] to prevent and control NCDs.
We know of a number of interventions that are both high-impact and cost-effective. These include, but are not limited to:
- Increased taxation on tobacco products
- The creation of smoke-free environments in public spaces
- Evidence-informed health promotion activities and campaigns
- Banning of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Poisoning our Planet: #TobaccoExposed
- Check out the infographics and social media posters [2] from the World Health Organization.
- Considering organising events or writing to your local healthcare authorities? Here are some calls to action and key messages you can use. [3]
- 'Tobacco is poisoning the environment as well as public health'. Read the news from our member UICC. [4]
- Our member the Framework Convention Alliance also has some fantastic resources on tobacco-use related reports. Read them here. [5]
