Context: Every year this Day was observed on May 31 to debunk myths and expose devious tactics employed by Tobacco industries.
Key Highlights of World No Tobacco Day

• World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May.
• The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
• World No Tobacco Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the WHO, along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World Malaria Day, World Hepatitis Day, and World AIDS Day.
• Theme: This year, it will focus on“protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.”
• The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.

Decline in Consumption

• According to a WHO report, there is a decline in the overall global tobacco use and the number of people consuming it.
• The report predicts that by 2020, there will be 10 million fewer tobacco users compared to 2018 and another 27 million less by 2025, amounting to 1.299 billion.
• In India, the prevalence of tobacco use (male and female combined) in 2000 was 44% and it is expected to reduce almost by half to 22.3% by 2025.
• Globally, the prevalence was 33.3% in 2000, and is projected to reach 20.9% in 2025.

How are tobacco and related industries manipulating youth?

• Use of flavours that are attractive to youth in tobacco and nicotine products, like cherry, bubble gum and cotton candy, which encourages young people to underestimate the related health risks and to start using them
• Sleek designs and attractive products, which can also be easy to carry and are deceptive (e.g. products shaped like a USB stick or candy)
• Promotion of products as “reduced harm” or “cleaner” alternatives to conventional cigarettes in the absence of objective science substantiating these claims
• Celebrity/influencer sponsorships and brand sponsored contests to promote tobacco and nicotine products (e.g. Instagram influencers)
• Point-of-sale marketing at vendor outlets frequented by children, including positioning near sweets, snacks or soda and providing premiums for vendors to ensure their products are displayed near venues frequented by young people (includes providing marketing materials and display cases to retailers)
• Sale of single stick cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products near schools, which makes it cheap and easy for school children to access tobacco and nicotine products
• Indirect marketing of tobacco products in movies, TV shows and online streaming shows
• Tobacco vending machines at venues frequented by young people, covered in attractive advertising and pack displays, and undermining regulations on sales to minors
• Litigation to weaken all kinds of tobacco control regulations including warning labels, display at point of sale, and regulations that limit access and marketing to children (specifically provisions to ban the sale and advertising of tobacco products near schools).

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)

• FCTC is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO.
• It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 27 February 2005.
• The FCTC’s measures to combat tobacco use include:
• Price and tax measures.
• Large, graphic warnings on tobacco packages.
• 100% smoke-free public spaces.
• A ban on tobacco marketing.
• Support for smokers who want to quit.
• Prevention of tobacco industry interference.

Regulation measure in India

• Smoking is allowed on roads, inside one’s home or vehicle but it is permitted in airports, restaurants, bars, pubs, discothèques and some other enclosed workplaces if they provide designated separate smoking areas.
• Anybody violating this law will be charged with a fine of Rs 200.
• The sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions is also prohibited. This particular rule is strictly enforced.
• Further as of 2014, there is strict provision of imprisonment for selling tobacco products to any person aged below 18 years of age .
• The Cable Television Network (Regulation) Amendment Bill, in force since 8 September 2000, completely prohibits cigarette and alcohol advertisements.
• mCessation Programme: It is an initiative using mobile technology for tobacco cessation.
• India launched mCessation using text messages in 2016 as part of the government’s Digital India initiative.
• It uses two-way messaging between the individual seeking to quit tobacco use and programme specialists providing them dynamic support.