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World No Tobacco Day is on May 31 each year. The World Health Organization created this day to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco products, the diseases they cause, and how the public can protect themselves and future generations.
Unmasking the Appeal
This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is focused on highlighting the sneaky ways the tobacco industry tries to make its harmful products look safe and fun, especially to children and younger adults. They use bright-colored packaging, designs, and additives to disguise the harshness of the products by offering thousands of “cool” flavors. These methods attract more customers and keep them using tobacco products for financial gain. By revealing these sneaky tactics, the public can help people understand the truth and encourage people to make better decisions, leading to a healthier future.
Uncover the Truth
The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting vulnerable communities to sell their highly addictive products. In the United States, commercial tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease, causing more than 480,000 deaths annually, including deaths from secondhand smoke.
The use of tobacco products among teens and young adults remains a problem. E-cigarettes are the most used product among youth in the United States, and nicotine pouches are becoming more common, too. There are no tobacco products that are considered safe. The health effects of commercial tobacco use are well-known, including an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and other serious health problems. However, the tobacco industry’s tactics make consumers overlook the health impacts.
Although vaping among youth has decreased, it is still a major health issue. More than 1.6 million young people in the U.S. are currently using e-cigarettes. Many of them use these products every day, which may mean they are becoming addicted. For example, more than 40% of high school e-cigarette users vaped at least 20 days a month, and nearly 30% vaped every day (2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey).
How to Be Involved
By joining the World No Tobacco Day campaign on Saturday, May 31, focus on sharing information and raising awareness of the real harm and risks that come with the use of tobacco products. For details on the tactics the tobacco industry is using to target youth, visit AttractingAddictionNV.com.
Encourage friends, family members, or colleagues who use tobacco products to quit. It is helpful to consult a doctor, seek counseling, and consider the use of nicotine replacement therapies. To learn more about how to quit tobacco products or how to get started on a plan, contact the Nevada Tobacco Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669), texting “start” or “enroll now” to 300800 for free services, or going to www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com for information.
Encourage a Smoke-Free environment to prevent secondhand smoke exposure in areas such as homes or vehicles, outdoor spaces, workplaces, businesses, or community gatherings. These can help build awareness and encourage a tobacco-free lifestyle. Carson City Health and Human Services Tobacco Control and Prevention program can assist with more information. Get healthy, Carson City!
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit gethealthycarsoncity.org, or call 775-887-2195. You can visit the CCHHS office at 900 E. Long St. in Carson City or follow CCHHS on Facebook at facebook.com/cchhs, or Instagram at GetHealthyCarsonCity.