World No Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on May 31 as an official public health campaign of the World Health Organization. The observance highlights the global health, social, environmental, and economic impacts of tobacco use and supports policies aimed at reducing tobacco consumption worldwide.

Despite ongoing opposition from the tobacco industry, World No Tobacco Day remains the most influential annual event for tobacco control, engaging governments and organizations in more than 190 countries to reduce tobacco use and strengthen public health protections.

The World Health Organization also presents annual awards honoring individuals and organizations that have made major contributions to tobacco control.

🚬 While Cigarettes Are Hazardous to Your Health Day on January 11 highlights the moment smoking was first officially recognized as a health threat in the United States, World No Tobacco Day expands that message worldwide, focusing on current risks and global tobacco control.

Cigarettes Are Hazardous to Your Health Day

History and Foundation

The observance was established in 1987 by the member states of the World Health Organization through Resolution WHA40.38. The first World No Tobacco Day took place in 1988 on April 7, marking the WHO’s 40th anniversary.

In 1989, Resolution WHA42.19 set May 31 as the permanent date, chosen to avoid overlap with other health observances and to precede International Children’s Day.

Purpose and goals

The central goal of World No Tobacco Day is to protect both present and future generations from the wide-ranging effects of tobacco use. Tobacco is responsible for more than eight million deaths each year, including over one million caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.

Key objectives include:

Raising global awareness about the health risks of tobacco and nicotine use.

Exposing industry tactics, especially marketing strategies aimed at youth and new users.

Encouraging stronger policies, such as higher tobacco taxes, advertising bans, and plain packaging

Supporting cessation, including short-term abstinence as a first step toward quitting.

Themes and current focus

Each year, the World Health Organization selects a theme to guide global messaging and campaigns. Recent themes focus on synthetic nicotine, nicotine salts, flavored products, and digital marketing strategies designed to attract adolescents and young adults.